by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual reviewed 123 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for master's degree seekers in the field of nursing. Combined, these schools handed out 11,674 master's degrees in nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The nursing master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality nursing program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their master's degree.
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It is difficult to beat Duke University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Duke University earn a boost of approximately $3,719 above the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Duke University
Emory University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
After graduation, nursing master's recipients generally earn around $107,880 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Emory University
University of South Carolina - Columbia is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in nursing. UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Columbia.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $105,149 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Carolina - Columbia
It is hard to beat Medical University of South Carolina if you want to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population.
Master's recipients from the nursing major at Medical University of South Carolina earn $7,303 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina
Located in the large suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Samford University get an earnings boost of approximately $50,789 above the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Samford University
U Miami is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Coral Gables.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $107,332 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Miami
Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $89,572 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus
Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn $5,358 more than the standard nursing grad.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University
FIU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Miami.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Florida International University earn a boost of approximately $8,396 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Florida International University
UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill.
After graduating, nursing master's recipients typically earn about $99,792 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Located in the city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a very large student population.
Soon after graduating, nursing master's recipients typically make an average of $103,147 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale make $17,842 more than the typical nursing grad.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
USF Tampa is a very large public university located in the city of Tampa.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from University of South Florida - Main Campus make $2,057 more than the average nursing grad.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Florida - Main Campus
NUS Florida is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $102,338.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Nova Southeastern University
ECU is a very large public university located in the city of Greenville.
Nursing master's degree recipients from East Carolina University receive an earnings boost of about $6,215 over the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a master’s in nursing from East Carolina University
USA is a large public university located in the city of Mobile.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $104,698.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Alabama
South University's online programs is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of Savannah.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $102,397 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from South University’s online programs
Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Collegedale.
After graduating, nursing master's recipients usually earn about $105,170 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Southern Adventist University
Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Florida State University receive $103,589 more than the standard nursing graduate.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Florida State University
Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Miami.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Barry University get an earnings boost of approximately $43,767 above the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Barry University
Located in the midsize city of Little Rock, UAMS is a public university with a small student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $101,364.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
A-State is a large public university located in the small city of Jonesboro.
Master's recipients from the nursing major at Arkansas State University - Main Campus get $11,946 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Arkansas State University - Main Campus
AHU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Orlando.
Master's recipients from the nursing major at AdventHealth University get $106,557 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in nursing from AdventHealth University
Union is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Jackson.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $102,228 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Union UniversityThese are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | South University, Tampa | Tampa, FL |
| 27 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
| 28 | University of Mississippi | University, MS |
| 29 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA |
| 30 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| 31 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC |
| 32 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 33 | Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA |
| 34 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 35 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 36 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN |
| 37 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
| 38 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
| 39 | Anderson University South Carolina | Anderson, SC |
| 40 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL |
| 41 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA |
| 25 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL |
Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 208 | 2,300 |
| Georgia | 190 | 1,353 |
| Virginia | 182 | 728 |
| North Carolina | 178 | 931 |
| Tennessee | 166 | 1,147 |
| Alabama | 151 | 1,997 |
| Kentucky | 147 | 1,361 |
| Louisiana | 147 | 340 |
| South Carolina | 146 | 369 |
| Mississippi | 145 | 175 |
| Arkansas | 121 | 229 |
| West Virginia | 112 | 145 |
Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 5,504 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 2,975 |
| Nursing Administration | 927 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 385 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 334 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 294 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 254 |
| Nursing Practice | 180 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 169 |
| School Nursing | 136 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health | 3,845 |
| Allied Health Professions | 3,635 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 3,334 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 2,891 |
| Communication Sciences | 2,321 |
| Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | 1,728 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 470 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 403 |
| Medical Illustration & Informatics | 363 |
| Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services | 311 |
