Best RN Programs in the United States: 2026 RN Program Rankings

The University of Florida College of Nursing offers three distinct BSN paths: the Traditional BSN for current UF students and transfers who have completed lower-division pre-professional requirements, the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for students who already hold a four-year degree in another field, and an RN-to-BSN track delivered fully online through UF Online for working associate-degree nurses. The Doctor of Nursing Practice and baccalaureate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Beyond coursework, students rotate through UF Health and UF Health Jacksonville, and the college highlights a cutting-edge simulation and skills lab on the Gainesville campus alongside Kirbo Lab research opportunities.

With a 91% graduation rate and an admit rate of 24%, UF is selective without being opaque about it. In-state tuition sits at $4,477, an exceptional value for a flagship program at one of the nation's largest research universities (enrollment: 56,311). Out-of-state students pay $25,694, so residency status is the key cost lever. The RN program also notes that over 80% of BSN graduates pursue graduate study within three years, a concrete signal of how far the credential carries students. A Hakia Score of 98.1 reflects the combination of outcome strength, affordability, and selectivity that puts UF's RN program at rank one nationally.

The UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing runs four distinct undergraduate BSN pathways: the standard on-campus BSN, a four-semester Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for students who already hold an undergraduate degree, an Assured Admissions BSN that locks in nursing seats for eligible high-school applicants before they enroll at UNC, and a Military Pathway BSN for service members and veterans. The school describes its teaching approach as a blend of time-tested methods and cutting-edge innovation, with interprofessional learning and student research woven into the undergraduate experience. Accreditation details, licensure pass rates, and scholarship information are published directly on the program site.

The numbers define who this program is for. An admit rate of 15% makes it the most competitive RN program in this ranking, and a 91% graduation rate confirms that most students who get in finish. In-state tuition is $7,019; out-of-state students face a steep jump to $39,228, making North Carolina residency or scholarship support a real planning variable. Total enrollment at UNC is 32,438. A Hakia Score of 97.8 reflects the program's combination of prestige, outcomes, and flagship-university resources. The tradeoff is straightforward: the credential is elite, the selectivity is real, and the out-of-state cost is high.

Florida State University's College of Nursing offers a single on-campus BSN program in Tallahassee, structured as four consecutive semesters (15-16 months) of upper-division study. It is a specialized-admission major, meaning students apply after completing prerequisite coursework rather than entering as freshmen into nursing. Admissions run three times per year (Fall, Spring, Summer). The program emphasizes clinical breadth across community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and home settings, with coursework tied directly to supervised clinical practice. The college uses a holistic admissions process that weighs community engagement, work experience, and GPA alongside prerequisite grades. For the Fall 2026 cycle specifically, about 150 students were admitted from more than 600 applicants, and admitted students carried an average cumulative GPA of approximately 3.8.

FSU's 86% graduation rate and a 24% admit rate position it as competitive but more accessible than UNC. In-state tuition is $4,640, nearly identical to UF, making it one of the most affordable accredited RN programs in the Southeast. Out-of-state cost is $19,084. With total enrollment at 43,889, FSU is a large research university with the clinical infrastructure to match. A Hakia Score of 97.3 reflects consistent outcomes at a price point that is hard to beat for Florida residents. Students should note that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission; many accepted applicants hold at least one healthcare certification.

The University of Michigan School of Nursing has operated for more than 130 years and offers a BSN program designed for two entry points: a full four-year track for first-year applicants and an accelerated three-year track for sophomore transfers, with clinical rotations beginning in the sophomore year. The curriculum pairs nursing theory and clinical skills with coursework in humanities, social sciences, and biological sciences. Michigan highlights a small student-to-faculty ratio, an Honors Program for high-achieving students, study abroad options tied to a Population Health in a Global Context minor, and access to a network of more than 13,000 nursing alumni. The program explicitly touts 1,000-plus hours of hands-on clinical experience across top hospitals and community health organizations.

Michigan posts the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93% and an admit rate of 16%, making it both highly selective and remarkably effective at getting students across the finish line. The cost picture is the clearest tradeoff: in-state tuition is $18,516, significantly higher than the Florida flagships, and out-of-state tuition climbs to $62,749. Michigan residents still get strong value relative to private alternatives; out-of-state students should weigh cost against the program's outcomes and alumni network carefully. Total enrollment is 52,855. A Hakia Score of 96.8 captures an RN program that leads on outcomes and rigor while carrying a premium price tag. BLS data puts the national median wage for registered nurses at $97,550 per year, the baseline all four programs aim to launch graduates toward.

UCF's College of Nursing offers a CCNE-accredited BSN with four distinct tracks under the traditional BSN umbrella: a traditional four-year path, an accelerated second-degree BSN for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree (four consecutive semesters including summers), a concurrent ASN-to-BSN track run in partnership with Seminole State, Valencia College, and the broader Florida College System, and an RN-to-BSN track that is primarily online. Programs are offered at UCF's Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach campuses. Admission is limited access, meaning you must first be admitted to UCF before applying to the College of Nursing, and most tracks admit once per year.

UCF carries a Hakia Score of 96.5, built on a 78% graduation rate and a 40% admit rate that reflects genuine selectivity without being a reach for well-prepared applicants. In-state tuition runs $212.28 per credit hour (roughly $4,478 per year at full-time load), making this one of the most affordable BSN paths in the country. Out-of-state cost rises to $802.54 per credit hour, so Florida residency matters. The RN program fits cost-conscious students who want a large research university, multiple entry tracks, and strong in-state job placement: 92% of UCF BSN graduates stay in Florida after earning their degree.

UCF's scale is an asset here. Enrolling nearly 70,000 students, the university provides clinical access across the greater Orlando metropolitan area and has a formal co-location with Orlando Health to accelerate healthcare collaboration. The curriculum covers clinical nursing practice, health promotion, and leadership foundations, and the baccalaureate coursework also positions graduates for graduate study. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data; Florida's employment level for RNs is among the highest in the country.

UVA School of Nursing offers four distinct BSN pathways. The traditional four-year BSN targets high school applicants who apply directly to the School of Nursing (early action deadline November 1, regular deadline January 1). The two-year Accelerated BSN transfer program is for students with two years of college who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree; it is intensive, full-time, includes two summer sessions, and begins in June. The three-year BSN transfer program accepts both internal UVA students and external applicants for a 120-credit full-time curriculum. The hybrid RN-to-BSN program serves licensed RNs seeking a BSN, runs part-time across two years with monthly in-person class sessions, and is available at three Virginia sites: Charlottesville, Fairfax, and Richmond. All pre-licensure tracks prepare graduates for NCLEX eligibility, and students practice at clinical sites across Virginia.

The numbers behind UVA's Hakia Score of 96.4 are striking. The 96% graduation rate is the highest in this group. The 17% admit rate is equally notable: this is a selective program by any measure, and applicants are evaluated on academic motivation. In-state tuition is $19,472 per year, which is elevated relative to other public flagships on this list, but out-of-state cost reaches $57,261, making Virginia residency a significant financial factor. The RN program fits students who want rigorous academic preparation, real research participation, and global clinical exposure, including options in Spain, Australia, Honduras, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

All traditional BSN students at UVA complete coursework in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and leadership, and conduct evidence-based practice research independently or in teams. Clinical rotations begin in the second semester of the second year across five specialty areas: medical-surgical, community and public health, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. A 10,000-square-foot Clinical Simulation Learning Center supports clinical skills training. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS data; UVA's near-perfect completion rate suggests most students who start here finish.

UW-Madison School of Nursing offers three pre-licensure BSN tracks and two post-licensure options. The traditional two-year BSN is open to pre-nursing students, transfers, and second-degree seekers and delivers evidence-based clinical training across real-world health care settings. The one-year Accelerated BSN is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want the fastest path to RN licensure. The fully online RN-to-BSN program (marketed as BSN@Home) gives working associate-degree RNs a flexible route to a bachelor's degree without disrupting their schedules. A School Nurse Certificate is also available in collaboration with UW-Madison's School of Education for BSN students or practicing RNs who want to work in Wisconsin schools.

UW-Madison holds a Hakia Score of 96.4, supported by a 90% graduation rate and a 45% admit rate that makes the program competitive but not exclusionary. In-state tuition is $10,006 per year, roughly double UCF's but less than half of UVA's in-state cost. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $40,506, so Wisconsin residency or the ability to establish it matters. The RN program is ranked 8th nationally for undergraduate nursing by U.S. News and 5th among public universities for 2026. Employers hiring UW-Madison BSN graduates include Mayo Clinic, Aurora Health Care, Northwestern Medicine, SSM Health, and UW Health, with graduates going into critical care, emergency and acute care, maternal and pediatric care, and oncology and surgical roles.

The outcome data from UW-Madison's own 2025 First Destination Survey is specific: 97% of respondents said the program prepared them for their career, 84% had a job secured before graduation, and the median base salary for 2025 graduates was $82,170. That last number is a program-specific graduate outcome figure, distinct from the national BLS median of $97,550 for all registered nurses reported by BLS OEWS. The 96% first-attempt NCLEX pass rate and the one-year ABSN track are the clearest differentiators for students comparing this program against other Big Ten nursing schools.

NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers six undergraduate nursing programs. The traditional four-year BSN is designed for incoming first-year students or those with fewer than 32 prior college credits. The accelerated 15-month BSN targets non-nurse college graduates who have already completed nursing prerequisite courses and want the fastest path to an RN license. The Second Degree Transfer program extends that accelerated path to career changers who have not yet finished the prerequisites, adding one or two semesters of science coursework before entering the 15-month sequence. Transfer students from two-year or four-year schools can also apply without needing a bachelor's degree or prior prerequisites. The BS/MS dual-degree program lets students earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree, preparing graduates for advanced practice roles including nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse informaticist, or clinical research nurse. The LEAD Honors track adds clinical leadership and professional development programming to a 128-credit curriculum.

NYU carries a Hakia Score of 96.3 with an 88% graduation rate. The 9% admit rate makes Rory Meyers one of the most selective RN programs in the country. Tuition is $62,796 per year for all students (the school is private, so there is no in-state rate), which is a real cost to weigh: this is roughly 14 times UCF's in-state cost and six times UW-Madison's in-state cost. That price buys access to clinical education settings at what the school describes as the most prestigious medical centers in the world, a state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Learning Center, and faculty who are nationally recognized nursing scholars. Graduates are trained as baccalaureate-prepared generalist nurses per the AACN framework and are eligible for NCLEX upon completion of the BS program.

The 2024 first-time NCLEX pass rate of 92% compares directly to a New York statewide pass rate of 88% for the same year, a meaningful gap for a program this selective and this expensive. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. NYU fits a specific candidate: someone who wants New York City clinical exposure, accepts a private-school price tag, and is positioned to compete at a 9% admit rate. Students who cannot meet that selectivity bar or cannot absorb the tuition cost will find stronger value at UCF, UVA, or UW-Madison.

San Diego State University's BS in Nursing is a direct-entry program for first-time freshmen admitted through Cal State Apply. Students who list Nursing as their intended major are placed directly into the School of Nursing upon admission to SDSU and cannot switch into the major later. Nursing major coursework begins sophomore year, with the curriculum spanning two tracks (Track 1 and Track 2) that cover pharmacology, psychiatric-mental health nursing, pediatrics, community health, and a Professional Formation sequence threaded across the final two years. There is no separate ABSN or RN-to-BSN pathway described on the program page.

Admission is purely academic: a minimum 3.0 GPA in A-G coursework, a minimum B in Intermediate Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry, and no weight given to volunteering, letters of recommendation, or residency. That transparency is notable. With a 36% university-wide admit rate and a stated highly selective nursing track within it, competition is real. In-state tuition sits at $6,084 per year versus $18,684 out of state, making this one of the more affordable BSN options in coastal California. The program's 76% graduation rate and a Hakia Score of 96.1 round out the picture for prospective students weighing cost against selectivity.

This RN program fits high-achieving California residents who want a four-year direct-entry BSN at a large research university without paying private-school prices. Out-of-state students should compare the $18,684 tuition against in-state options in their home states before committing. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS wage data, providing context for the return on any tuition investment.

The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing offers a four-year, direct-entry BSN with no separate accelerated or RN-to-BSN track described on the program page. The program is full-time only and does not offer part-time or distance learning options. Coursework emphasizes clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, leadership, and integration of the biological and behavioral sciences, with clinical rotations across hospital and community settings. An optional Nursing Honors Program is available to incoming freshmen interested in undergraduate research; admission to it is by invitation only at the time of nursing school acceptance.

UT Austin accepts students through three pathways: freshman direct admission, internal transfer, and external transfer (fall only, no HESI or TEAS required). Admission across all routes is described as highly competitive. At 27% university-wide admit rate and an 89% graduation rate, UT Austin sits at the selective end of the public university spectrum. In-state tuition is $11,688 per year; out-of-state tuition jumps to $44,908, which is a decisive cost gap that out-of-state applicants should weigh carefully. The RN program holds a Hakia Score of 96.1. U.S. News ranked it #31 among BSN programs in 2024, per the program page.

Strong fit for Texas residents who want a flagship university BSN experience with research opportunities. Out-of-state applicants face one of the larger tuition differentials in this ranking tier. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS wage data; Texas markets vary, and that national figure is context, not a program-specific outcome.

Clemson University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an eight-semester, direct-admit program that also offers an Accelerated Second Degree option for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Students entering as freshmen are placed into the nursing major from day one and cannot be dropped from the major unless they fail to meet progression requirements. The first two years are weighted toward general education and sciences, while the junior and senior years shift to focused nursing coursework and hands-on clinical placements at Clemson's simulation facilities in both Clemson and Greenville, plus rotations at medical centers and community hospitals across the Upstate. A student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 in clinical settings is stated on the program page.

The program page reports NCLEX pass rates consistently above state and national levels and graduate satisfaction of 95-100%. Those are meaningful claims grounded in the school's own published data. The graduation rate is 87%. Clemson admits 38% of applicants university-wide, and both freshman and transfer routes into nursing are described as highly competitive. In-state tuition is $14,038 per year; out-of-state tuition is $39,350. The Hakia Score of 96.0 reflects the RN program's strong outcomes and selectivity profile. Nursing scholarships are available through both the university and the School of Nursing directly.

Best fit for South Carolina residents seeking a direct-entry RN program at a large public research university with small clinical group sizes, or career-changers who qualify for the accelerated second-degree track. Out-of-state tuition is steep at $39,350. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS wage data.

The University of Washington School of Nursing offers two distinct undergraduate pathways. The traditional BSN is a two-year, full-time program (six quarters) for students who complete prerequisites and apply for upper-division admission. The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) compresses the full BSN curriculum into four back-to-back quarters and is open only to applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. The ABSN requires at least 100 hours of documented healthcare experience within the 12 months before application, a cumulative GPA of 2.80 or higher, and a minimum 3.30 GPA in science prerequisites. Admission occurs twice yearly, autumn and spring, and is capacity constrained. Both tracks use the School of Nursing's Simulation Center for clinical skills practice before supervised patient care in the field.

UW's 39% university-wide admit rate and 85% graduation rate position it as a selective but accessible flagship option in the Pacific Northwest. In-state tuition is $11,869 per year; out-of-state students pay $42,105, a gap of over $30,000 annually that matters a great deal over two to four years. The Hakia Score is 96.0. The program page describes UW School of Nursing as an international leader in teaching, research, and clinical excellence, with faculty who are active nurse practitioners and researchers.

The ABSN track is a strong option for career-changers in the Pacific Northwest who want to complete an RN program quickly at a research university. Traditional BSN applicants from Washington State benefit from one of the more competitive in-state tuition rates among ranked programs in this tier. Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS wage data; Seattle-area wages tend to run above that national median.