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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing

424 Ranked Colleges
12,107 Degrees Awarded
$115,233 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 319,502 degrees handed out in 2021-2022, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In , nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $70,911 and had an average of $28,318 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 12,107 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major” ranking, we looked at 424 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their nursing program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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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 “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

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

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major. This small school is located in Madison, Tennessee, and it awarded 79 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc

2
Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 424 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Rush University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 211 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Nursing at Rush University

3
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Frontier Nursing University
Versailles, Kentucky

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Frontier Nursing University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Versailles, Kentucky, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 201 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, this small public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Nursing Report

5
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Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mount Marty University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Mount Marty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Yankton, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Mount Marty Nursing Report

6

Bryan College of Health Sciences did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #6. Bryan College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences

7
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Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chatham University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. This small school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 62 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Chatham University Nursing Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at FranU

9

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. This small school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 72 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

10
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Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

Samford University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 89 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Samford

11
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Touro University Nevada
Henderson, Nevada

With a ranking of #11, Touro University Nevada did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Touro University Nevada is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Nevada. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Touro University Nevada Nursing Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Saint Anthony College of Nursing did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. SACN is located in Rockford, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Anthony College of Nursing

13
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Lourdes University
Sylvania, Ohio

Lourdes University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Lourdes is a small school located in Sylvania, Ohio that handed out 10 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Lourdes University

14

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. RMUoHP is a small school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 15 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

15

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in North Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full RFUMS Nursing Report

16
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Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

17

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. This small school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Nebraska Methodist College Nursing Report

18
Texas Wesleyan crest
Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas Wesleyan Nursing Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Maryland - Baltimore did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. UMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 148 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full University of Maryland - Baltimore Nursing Report

20
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Clarke University
Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Clarke is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dubuque, Iowa. It awarded 15 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Clarke Nursing Report

21
AHU crest
AdventHealth University
Orlando, Florida

AdventHealth University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. This small school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at AdventHealth University

22
MUSC crest
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #22. MUSC is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 89 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Nursing at MUSC

23

With a ranking of #23, The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 90 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Nursing Report

24

With a ranking of #24, Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Addison, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 563 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois

25

With a ranking of #25, Baylor College of Medicine did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major list. Located in Houston, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Baylor College of Medicine Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Viterbo crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
28
29
30
31
32
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Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
33
34
35
36
37
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA
38
39
40
41
42
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Union University
Jackson, TN
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
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Marian University
Indianapolis, IN
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, CT
52Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX
53Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL
54Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL
55Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO
56Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT
57Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH
58Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre, PA
59Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY
60Saint Mary’s CollegeNotre Dame, IN
61Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL
62University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL
63The University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX
64South University, SavannahSavannah, GA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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