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2022 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice

280 Colleges in the United States
5,710 Doctor's Degrees
If you pursue a doctor's degree in nursing practice, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #8 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 280 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for nursing practice students pursuing a doctor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,710 doctor's degrees in nursing practice during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing Practice School for Your Doctor's Degree

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice Your choice of school for getting your doctor's degree in nursing practice matters. We created our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality nursing practice program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Nursing Practice
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing Practice
Master's Degrees in Nursing Practice
Overall Popularity in Nursing Practice

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing practice.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for nursing practice students seeking a a doctor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Practice Students Working on Their Doctorate

1
365 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

Every student pursuing a degree in a doctor's degree in nursing practice needs to check out Chamberlain University - Illinois. Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit university located in the suburb of Addison. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Illinois.

There were approximately 365 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain - Illinois in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Chamberlain University - Illinois

2
288 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Grand Canyon University if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Arizona.

There were roughly 288 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Grand Canyon University

3
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL
218 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Rush University is a popular decision for students pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Illinois.

There were approximately 218 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Rush University

4
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
187 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#2 Best Quality In MN

Walden University is a popular choice for individuals pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing practice. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Minnesota.

There were about 187 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Walden University

5
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
173 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#3 Best Quality In MN

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Minnesota.

There were about 173 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Capella University

6
114 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

UIC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chicago. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Illinois.

There were roughly 114 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Illinois at Chicago

7
108 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Located in the city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Maryland.

There were about 108 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at UMB in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Maryland - Baltimore

8
107 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in New York.

There were roughly 107 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Columbia University in the City of New York

9
105 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#2 Best Quality In AL

Located in the midsize city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Alabama.

There were approximately 105 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UAB in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Alabama at Birmingham

10
100 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the large city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Arizona.

There were roughly 100 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Arizona

11
86 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#3 Best Quality In NC

UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public university located in the city of Greensboro. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in North Carolina.

There were about 86 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UNC Greensboro in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

12
85 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#6 Best Quality In FL

Located in the city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Florida.

There were approximately 85 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UNF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of North Florida

13
80 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#2 Best Quality In TN

UTHSC is a small public university located in the large city of Memphis. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Tennessee. More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

14
76 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In AZ
#3 Best Quality In AZ

ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the city of Tempe. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Arizona. More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Arizona State University - Tempe

14
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
76 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Florida.

There were about 76 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Florida

16
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
70 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TN
#1 Best Quality In TN

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Nashville. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Tennessee.

There were about 70 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Vanderbilt University

17
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
69 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in North Carolina.

There were approximately 69 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Duke University

18
67 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#6 Best Quality In IL

Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Illinois.

There were approximately 67 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at SIUE in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

19
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
66 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#3 Best Quality In KY

NKU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Highland Heights. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Kentucky.

There were roughly 66 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at NKU in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Northern Kentucky University

20
65 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

USF Tampa is a very large public university located in the large city of Tampa. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Florida.

There were approximately 65 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of South Florida - Main Campus

21
64 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AL
#3 Best Quality In AL

UA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tuscaloosa. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Alabama.

There were roughly 64 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Alabama

22
60 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#6 Best Quality In TX

Located in the city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Texas.

There were roughly 60 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UT Arlington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from The University of Texas at Arlington

23
59 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In FL
#4 Best Quality In FL

FIU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Miami. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Florida.

There were approximately 59 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from Florida International University

23
59 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

UK is a very large public university located in the large city of Lexington. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Kentucky.

There were approximately 59 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from University of Kentucky

25
58 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#5 Best Quality In GA

South University's online programs is a moderately-sized private for-profit university located in the midsize city of Savannah. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing practice in Georgia.

There were roughly 58 nursing practice individuals who graduated with this degree at South University's online programs in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing practice from South University’s online programs

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31
Wilkes crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

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35
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
35
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
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40
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

41

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42
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

 

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 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice award.

Rank College Location
44 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
45 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
46 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
46 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
48 Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV
48 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
50 Creighton University Omaha, NE
51 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
51 DePaul University Chicago, IL
53 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
53 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
55 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
56 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
56 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI

Nursing Practice by Region

View the Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 22 majors within the Nursing area of study, Nursing Practice has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Nursing Practice

Related Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 1,065
Nursing Science 874
Nurse Anesthetist 835
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 533
Nursing Administration 355
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 346
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 119
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 87
School Nursing 27
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 21

Notes and References

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