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2024 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

489 Colleges in the Southeast Region
65,623 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in registered nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 489 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 65,623 degrees in registered nursing to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School

Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of registered nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for registered nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Registered Nursing Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Registered Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Master's Degrees in Registered Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Registered Nursing

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in the Southeast Region

The schools below may not offer all types of registered nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Registered Nursing

1
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
325 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Emory University is a great option for students interested in a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 325 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Emory University

2
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In NC
155 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 155 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Duke University

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In VA
261 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

University of Virginia - Main Campus is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in registered nursing. University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 261 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In FL
1,056 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a good option for students interested in a degree in registered nursing. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale. A Best Colleges rank of #176 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a great university overall.

There were about 1056 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

5
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
29th Most Popular In FL
213 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were about 213 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Miami

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
33rd Most Popular In FL
235 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 235 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Florida

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In NC
201 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were about 201 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

8
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
15th Most Popular In AL
122 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were approximately 122 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Samford University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In SC
232 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 232 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of South Carolina - Columbia

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In SC
182 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population.

There were approximately 182 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at MUSC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Medical University of South Carolina

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
28th Most Popular In TN
99 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

UTHSC is a small public university located in the city of Memphis.

There were roughly 99 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AL
987 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were about 987 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UAB in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In TN
169 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Collegedale. This university ranks 5th out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were approximately 169 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southern Adventist University

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MS
327 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Ole Miss is a fairly large public university located in the remote town of University. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.

There were about 327 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ole Miss in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Mississippi

15
Miami Regional University crest
Miami Regional University
Miami Springs, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In FL
466 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Miami Springs, Miami Regional University is a private for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 466 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Miami Regional University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Miami Regional University

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
1,656 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of Ocala. This university ranks 9th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 1656 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Florida in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Rasmussen University - Florida

17
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VA
899 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large city of Virginia Beach. This university ranks 10th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 899 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at ECPI University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from ECPI University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In GA
217 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Macon, Mercer is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were approximately 217 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mercer in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mercer University

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In SC
235 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #107 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Clemson is a great university overall.

There were approximately 235 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Clemson University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In LA
252 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

LSU Health - New Orleans is a small public university located in the city of New Orleans.

There were about 252 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at LSU Health - New Orleans in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In VA
218 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 218 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In KY
1,042 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Louisville, Galen College of Nursing - Louisville is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

There were about 1042 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Galen College of Nursing - Louisville in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville

23
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In TN
168 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

Union is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Jackson. This university ranks 7th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were about 168 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Union University

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
20th Most Popular In FL
269 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

FIU is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Miami. A Best Colleges rank of #183 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means FIU is a great university overall.

There were about 269 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from Florida International University

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In FL
706 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded

USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tampa. This university ranks 8th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 706 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of South Florida - Main Campus

Rest of the Top Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region

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28
NUS Florida crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
29
BC crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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32

33

34
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
35
36
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
37
38
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
39
40
41

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44
45
46
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
47
48
49
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
50

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 489 different Southeast registered nursing schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
51Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, FL
52Mississippi University for WomenColumbus, MS
53West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
54Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV
55Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord, NC
56Anderson University South CarolinaAnderson, SC
57Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA
58Arkansas State University - Main CampusJonesboro, AR
59Radford UniversityRadford, VA
60Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg, VA
61Barry UniversityMiami, FL
62Delgado Community CollegeNew Orleans, LA
63Bellarmine UniversityLouisville, KY
64Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
65Belmont UniversityNashville, TN
66Herzing University - BirminghamBirmingham, AL
67Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
68University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
69Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL
70King UniversityBristol, TN
71Herzing University - Winter ParkWinter Park, FL
72AdventHealth UniversityOrlando, FL
73University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region award.

RankCollegeLocation
74Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth, FL
75University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL
76Trident Technical CollegeCharleston, SC
77Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa, FL
78Gardner - Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC
79Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate, TN
80Harding UniversitySearcy, AR
81Carolinas College of Health SciencesCharlotte, NC
82Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY
83South CollegeKnoxville, TN
84The University of Tennessee - ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN
85West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeBuckhannon, WV
86Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY
87Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, FL
88Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
89Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA
89Chamberlain University - North CarolinaCharlotte, NC
90Pensacola State CollegePensacola, FL
91The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL
92University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
93Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC
94University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL
95University of MemphisMemphis, TN
96Southern Regional Technical CollegeThomasville, GA
97University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA

Best Registered Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best registered nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Florida71518,780
North Carolina7106,188
Georgia6905,702
Virginia6305,839
Tennessee6244,957
South Carolina5302,828
Kentucky5184,931
Mississippi5012,590
Alabama5006,786
Louisiana4893,152
Arkansas4662,673
West Virginia4101,666

View All Rankings >

Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing3,320
Nursing Practice2,767
Nursing Administration1,009
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing827
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing820
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing503
Nurse Anesthetist483
Nursing Science409
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery372
Critical Care Nursing182

View All Registered Nursing Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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