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2025 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

266 Colleges in the Southeast Region
32,783 Bachelor's Degrees
$73,570 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #2 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 266 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 32,783 bachelor's degrees in nursing during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region The nursing bachelor'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. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

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 ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Nursing in the Southeast Region

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor'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.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Nursing

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

It's difficult to beat Duke University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Duke University earn a boost of about $3,718 above the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Duke University

2
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
140 Annual Graduates
$79,073 Median Starting Salary
$63,392 Median Student Debt

Emory University is a great choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Emory University receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,503 above the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Emory University

3
241 Annual Graduates
$73,872 Median Starting Salary
$40,217 Median Student Debt

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in nursing has to look into University of South Carolina - Columbia. UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Columbia.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $73,872 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of South Carolina - Columbia

4
510 Annual Graduates
$77,345 Median Starting Salary
$15,239 Median Student Debt

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in nursing needs to look into Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fort Lauderdale.

Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale earn $3,775 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

5
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
245 Annual Graduates
$75,036 Median Starting Salary
$48,447 Median Student Debt

U Miami is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Coral Gables.

Soon after graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make around $75,036 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Miami

6
1,068 Annual Graduates
$76,234 Median Starting Salary
$9,956 Median Student Debt

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

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville get an earnings boost of approximately $2,664 over the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
228 Annual Graduates
$73,711 Median Starting Salary
$15,693 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $73,711 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Florida

8

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients generally earn about $75,220 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus

9

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $71,594 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

10
351 Annual Graduates
$72,051 Median Starting Salary
$31,992 Median Student Debt

ECU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Greenville.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $72,051 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from East Carolina University

11
210 Annual Graduates
$71,847 Median Starting Salary
$11,490 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually earn around $71,847 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University

12
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
105 Annual Graduates
$64,226 Median Starting Salary
$66,395 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $64,226 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Samford University

13

FIU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Miami.

Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Florida International University earn $5,101 more than the average nursing student.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Florida International University

14
188 Annual Graduates
$68,199 Median Starting Salary
$39,500 Median Student Debt

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

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $68,199 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina

15
NUS Florida crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
391 Annual Graduates
$77,224 Median Starting Salary
$36,867 Median Student Debt

NUS Florida is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University get an earnings boost of around $3,654 over the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Nova Southeastern University

16
479 Annual Graduates
$72,879 Median Starting Salary
$11,448 Median Student Debt

USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Tampa.

Soon after graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $72,879 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of South Florida - Main Campus

17
23 Annual Graduates

NFC is a small public college located in the rural area of Madison.More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from North Florida College

18
267 Annual Graduates
$69,027 Median Starting Salary
$18,684 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Louisville, UofL is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $69,027 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Louisville

19
JU crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Located in the large city of Jacksonville, JU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the nursing program at Jacksonville University get $5,354 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Jacksonville University

20
191 Annual Graduates
$76,787 Median Starting Salary
$21,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Macon, Mercer is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Mercer University earn a boost of about $3,217 over the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Mercer University

21
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
286 Annual Graduates
$76,490 Median Starting Salary
$35,741 Median Student Debt

JMU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from James Madison University get an earnings boost of approximately $2,920 above the typical earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from James Madison University

22

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

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make around $70,619 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

23
236 Annual Graduates
$76,998 Median Starting Salary
$25,298 Median Student Debt

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

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans earn a boost of approximately $3,428 above the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

24
387 Annual Graduates
$71,461 Median Starting Salary
$29,850 Median Student Debt

UK is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Lexington.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $71,461 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Kentucky

25
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
104 Annual Graduates
$80,090 Median Starting Salary
$44,985 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Arlington, Marymount is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Marymount University receive an earnings boost of around $6,520 above the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Marymount University

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

26
27
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
28
29
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
30
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
31
32

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35
36
37
38
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
39
40
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA
41

42

43
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
44
45
46
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
47
48
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
49
50
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 266 different Southeast nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
52 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
53 South University, Tampa Tampa, FL

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
54 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
55 Radford University Radford, VA
56 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
57 Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FL
58 Anderson University South Carolina Anderson, SC
59 Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS
60 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
61 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
62 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
63 Belmont University Nashville, TN
64 South University’s online programs Savannah, GA
65 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
66 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
67 Bellarmine University Louisville, KY
68 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
69 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
70 Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NC
71 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
72 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
73 South University, West Palm Beach Royal Palm Beach, FL
74 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
75 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL
76 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
77 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
78 Florida National University - Main Campus Hialeah, FL
79 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
80 King University Bristol, TN
81 Marshall University Huntington, WV
82 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
83 Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL
84 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
85 Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences Memphis, TN
86 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL
87 Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC
88 Harding University Searcy, AR

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 225 9,015
Georgia 224 3,954
Tennessee 220 3,180
North Carolina 213 3,488
Virginia 213 3,096
South Carolina 195 1,605
Kentucky 187 2,530
Alabama 184 2,607
Louisiana 171 1,963
Mississippi 169 1,307
Arkansas 167 1,371
West Virginia 147 774

View All Rankings >

One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 32,525
Nursing Practice 81
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 79
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 46
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 24
Nursing Science 24
Nursing Administration 4

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health Sciences & Services 6,250
Public Health 4,877
Health & Medical Administrative Services 3,699
Communication Sciences 2,509
Allied Health Professions 1,667
Other Health Professions 1,105
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 1,040
Mental & Social Health Services 842
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 734
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services 580

Notes and References

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