A Guide to the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
You may be a student who has known your entire life that nursing is the career path for you. Or, you may have done volunteer work with nurses more recently and discovered you want to pursue a career in the field. Regardless of how your aspirations arose, you’re here because you don’t want to wait until after you graduate college to get started on your nursing career. And you’re probably wondering what the best undergraduate nursing programs in the country are.
Studying nursing during undergrad is a possibility if you’re a driven and compassionate person with a strong interest in patient care. Students who’ve chosen nursing as a major follow a set curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After graduation, they may obtain a license and begin working as a nurse. So, how do you sort through the various options available to find the right school for you? To guide you through the research and application process, I have outlined the best undergraduate nursing programs in the US, what makes them unique, what you can do with a BSN, and application tips to help you gain an edge in admissions.
BSN vs. Associates Degree in Nursing
A BSN is a four-year program for students who want to become registered nurses. With a BSN, graduates may also pursue advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctorate to move into leadership or specialist roles.
Compared to a two-year associate’s degree, a BSN opens more doors. Many entry-level jobs now prefer or require a bachelor’s degree. As a result, BSN graduates often earn higher salaries and advance more quickly in their careers. A BSN also makes the transition to graduate-level nursing education much smoother.
What Are the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs?
Although many universities offer graduate-level nursing, fewer provide strong undergraduate programs. Below is a list of some of the top-ranked institutions in the US that also offer undergraduate options and BSN degrees. The list also includes the universities’ locations so you can plan a campus visit as part of your decision process.
Top 20 Undergraduate Nursing Programs
| School | Location |
|---|---|
| Duke University (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for students who already hold an undergraduate degree) | Durham, NC |
| University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA |
| University of Michigan — Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
| University of Alabama — Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA |
| New York University | New York, NY |
| Rutgers University — Newark | Newark, NJ |
| University of Illinois — Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| University of California — Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Maryland — Baltimore | Baltimore, MD |
| University of Texas — Austin | Austin, TX |
| Rush University | Chicago, IL |
| University of Tennessee — Knoxville | Knoxville, TN |
How to Evaluate Nursing Programs
Some of these schools may surprise you. You might expect to see UPenn and NYU, but schools like Rush University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Illinois — Chicago are also at the top of the list. Therefore, you shouldn’t let a school’s overall reputation guide you. Just because a university is well known doesn’t mean it has a strong nursing program. If you’re committed to nursing, focus on the strength of the program itself.
When applying through the Common App, UC Application, or ApplyTexas, you must select the nursing program as your undergraduate choice. This selection signals to admissions officers that you are a nursing applicant, and they will review your application accordingly.
What Makes Each of the Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs Unique?
Each program on the list provides hands-on experiences such as dosage calculations, pharmacology, maternal and newborn care, medical-surgical nursing, acute care, and psychiatric nursing. In addition, they teach essential skills like collaboration, stress management, and research.
Unique Opportunities at Top Programs
| School | Unique Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Duke University | Accelerated BSN program for students with a prior bachelor’s degree; Clinical placements at Duke University Health System; Two-week immersion abroad with diverse populations |
| University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill | Access to a biobehavioral lab; Education-Innovation-Simulation-Learning-Environment (EISLE); Hillman Scholars Program to complete BSN and PhD in five years or less |
| University of Pennsylvania | Dual degree in Nursing and Health Care Management; Access to two teaching hospitals; Four research centers under the Office of Nursing Research |
| Ohio State University | Pre-nursing track; Access to 22 research labs and three centers; Community Health Workers program supporting Columbus residents |
| University of Michigan — Ann Arbor | Admission as freshmen or transfers; Opportunities at centers for health disparities and chronic disease; Global Health minor available |
| Case Western Reserve University | Clinical placements start first month of first year; Partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, VA, and MetroHealth; Senior Capstone Project on health care and policy |
| New York University | Courses across NYU schools; Global Initiatives programs in 15 countries; Innovation centers such as the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing |
| Rutgers University — Newark | 200+ affiliated clinical sites; Simulation labs for real-world training; Out-of-Hospital Residency program and service learning abroad |
What Can You Do With an Undergraduate Nursing Degree?
Graduates of BSN programs have a wide variety of career options. Some of the most common include:
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Hospital administration: Work in healthcare management with limited patient responsibilities.
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Nursing education: Teach future nurses and design training programs.
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Healthcare research: Study diseases, test treatments, and collaborate with medical teams.
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Non-profit organizations: Use your nursing skills in service-oriented roles or NGOs.
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Public health and policy: Work in government, law, or insurance on health-related issues.
Application Tips for Undergraduate Nursing Programs
How can you stand out in the admissions process? Here are three key strategies:
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Maintain strong academics: Nursing is STEM-heavy. Take AP Bio, AP Chem, and other rigorous courses to show readiness.
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Pursue relevant extracurriculars: Go beyond the science club. Volunteer at clinics, start initiatives, or do local research.
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Maximize supplemental essays: Use essay prompts to explain why nursing matters to you and why a specific program is the right fit.
Example prompts include:
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UPenn: How did you discover your intellectual and academic interests, and how will you explore them at Penn?
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UVA: Describe a healthcare-related experience that deepened your interest in nursing.
Finding the Best Undergraduate Nursing Program for You
The best undergraduate nursing programs combine rigorous academics with hands-on clinical experiences. By choosing the right school, you’ll prepare not just for your first nursing role but also for future leadership, education, or research opportunities. Research your options carefully, highlight your passion in your application, and you’ll be ready to start a successful career in nursing.
Get Ready for Nursing Admissions
Getting into a top BSN program requires more than strong grades. Admissions officers want to see clear motivation, relevant experiences, and a compelling story. Our admissions experts can help you refine your application, highlight your commitment to patient care, and stand out at competitive programs. Book a free consultation today to take the next step toward your nursing career.