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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

320 Ranked Colleges
10,033 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 313,362 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,033 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 320 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree nursing students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (With Aid)

#1

Hunter College

New York, New York

Out of the 320 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Hunter College landed the #1 spot on the list. Hunter College is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828.

Read full report on Nursing at Hunter College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 117 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree nursing students with aid list, UW Seattle has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at UW Seattle

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 20% in overall quality

Out of the 320 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #3 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNC Chapel Hill also did well on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Nursing Report

Out of the 320 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 15 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Fresno State Nursing Report

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 320 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 82 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UF is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Read full report on Nursing at UF

#6

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Rochester, Minnesota
Top 20% in overall quality

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Rochester, Minnesota, and it awarded 30 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine are $20,837, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

California State University - Fullerton landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 20 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Nursing at Cal State Fullerton

#8

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Yale University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500.

Read more about Nursing at Yale University

Florida International University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 61 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Read more about Nursing at Florida International University

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 67 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at University of South Florida - Main Campus

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 125 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UIC also did well on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Read full report on Nursing at UIC

#12

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 101 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

Read more about Nursing at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#13

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UCLA is also in the top of our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read more about Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles

#14

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 110 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Florida are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Florida Nursing Report

Top 15% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also claimed a top spot on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#16

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 23 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Nursing Report

Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read full report on Nursing at UC Irvine

#18

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Northern Kentucky University

#19

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 6 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue

#20

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #20, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962.

Full TWU Nursing Report

#21

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FGCU Nursing Report

#22

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657.

Full University of Central Florida Nursing Report

#23

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

Purdue University Northwest landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue Northwest are $11,633, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Purdue Northwest

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNLV is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 14 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 10 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UTEP Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 49 in Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 49 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
#27

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#28

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York
#29

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia
#30

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#32

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#33

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#34

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#35

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
#38

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky
#39

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#40

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, West Virginia
#42

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#43

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#44

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#46

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#48

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#49

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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