How to Find Accredited Nursing Programs Near You
Use the NCES College Navigator and state nursing board directories to filter schools near you with nursing programs by accreditation, program type, and enrollment. The database lists over 1,000 accredited entry-to-practice programs across the United States, with public universities and community colleges dominating the rankings for affordability and completion rates. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing tracks enrollment trends and shows that ADN and BSN programs remain the most common pathways into registered nursing. You can cross-reference program lists with the Department of Education's College Scorecard to compare median earnings and debt after graduation here.
Start your search by entering your ZIP code into the NCES tool and selecting nursing programs within a 50-mile radius. Filter results by accreditation status, with CCNE and ACEN as the primary national and programmatic accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Most public universities list tuition per credit hour on their websites, with in-state rates often ranging from $200 to $500 per credit for BSN tracks. Community college ADN programs typically charge lower per-credit rates, and many publish first-time pass rates for the NCLEX-RN on their program pages here.
Top-Ranked Nursing Programs and Tuition Data
U.S. News & World Report ranks nursing schools based on peer assessment, faculty resources, and student selectivity, with top-ranked BSN programs often found at large public research universities. The University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, and Duke consistently appear in the top tier for graduate nursing programs, while schools like the University of Washington and Ohio State lead in BSN enrollment and NCLEX pass rates. Tuition at public flagship universities for in-state students averages around $10,000 to $12,000 per year for BSN programs, with out-of-state costs often exceeding $30,000 annually. Many schools now publish net price calculators and post-graduation employment rates on their official sites here.
Community colleges with nursing programs often report the highest first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates and the lowest tuition, making them a cost-effective route to licensure. The National League for Nursing publishes benchmark data on program completion and licensure exam success, with many public community colleges exceeding 90 percent pass rates. Some states, such as Texas and California, have large networks of public nursing schools with multiple campus locations, allowing students to attend a school near their home while accessing clinical placements at regional hospitals. Online hybrid BSN and RN-to-BSN programs from accredited universities offer additional flexibility, with tuition often comparable to on-campus rates here.
Admission Requirements, Costs, and Career Outcomes
Most nursing programs require a high school diploma or GED, prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0. Competitive BSN programs may also require TEAS or HESI admission test scores, letters of recommendation, and documented healthcare volunteer or work experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $81,220 in May 2023, with the fastest employment growth projected in outpatient care centers and home health services. Advanced practice roles, including nurse practitioners, typically require a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree here.
Financial aid options for nursing students include federal Pell Grants, state nursing scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs. The Nurse Corps Scholarship