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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region

113 Ranked Colleges
3,439 Degrees Awarded
$110,270 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region” 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 2021-2022, 319,502 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 76,869 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,908 and $28,529 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,439 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,674 and $121,130 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region” ranking analyzed 113 colleges that offered 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.

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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 “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Southeast Region

1

Out of the 113 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Madison, Tennessee, and it awarded 79 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.

Full MTSA Nursing Report

2
Frontier Nursing University crest
Frontier Nursing University
Versailles, Kentucky

Out of the 113 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Frontier Nursing University landed the #2 spot on the list. Versailles, Kentucky is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 201 students in 2021-2022.

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.

Read more about Nursing at Frontier Nursing University

3

Out of the 113 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University landed the #3 spot on the list. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 27 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

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 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%.

Read full report on Nursing at FranU

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. This small school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 72 doctorate’s nursing degrees 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at LSU Health - New Orleans

5
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Samford University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region 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.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Samford

6
AHU crest
AdventHealth University
Orlando, Florida

AdventHealth University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

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. 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%.

Full AHU Nursing Report

7
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 in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #7. MUSC is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% 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 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

8

The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #8. The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center Nursing Report

9
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Augusta, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 99 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Augusta University

10

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a small public school situated in Little Rock, Arkansas. It awarded 29 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%.

Read more about Nursing at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

11
Lenoir - Rhyne University crest
Lenoir - Rhyne University
Hickory, North Carolina

Lenoir - Rhyne University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. This small school is located in Hickory, North Carolina, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

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 Lenoir - Rhyne University

12
Palm Beach Atlantic crest
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #12. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a small school located in West Palm Beach, Florida that handed out 29 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic

13

University of South Alabama ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 148 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 USA Nursing Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Nursing at Baptist College of Health Sciences

15
Barry University crest
Barry University
Miami, Florida

Barry University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Miami, Florida, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 81 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Barry University

16
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee

Union University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Union University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jackson, Tennessee. It awarded 32 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Union University Nursing Report

17

South University’s online programs did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #17. South University’s online programs is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Savannah, Georgia. It awarded 32 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at South University’s online programs

18
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 75 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NKU Nursing Report

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #19, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. University of North Florida is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 128 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at University of North Florida

20

With a ranking of #20, South University, Savannah did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. This small school is located in Savannah, Georgia, and it awarded 44 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 South University, Savannah

21

South University, Tampa did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #21. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 South University, Tampa Nursing Report

22

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 71 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 UNC Greensboro Nursing Report

23
Loyola New Orleans crest
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

Loyola University New Orleans did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #23. Loyola University New Orleans is a small school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 14 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola New Orleans Nursing Report

24
JU crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region list. Jacksonville University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Jacksonville University

25
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Duke University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 85 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%. 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 Duke University Nursing Report

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