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2022 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing

404 Colleges in the United States
10,033 Doctor's Degrees
$115,628 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #5 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after doctor's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 404 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for nursing students pursuing a doctor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 10,033 doctor's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Doctor's Degree

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing The nursing doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of nursing students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.


 

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Doctorate

1
365 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

Chamberlain University - Illinois is a popular choice for students interested in a doctor's degree in nursing. Chamberlain - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the suburb of Addison. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were roughly 365 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain - Illinois in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their doctor's degree from Chamberlain University - Illinois earn $8,572 more than the average nursing grad.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Chamberlain University - Illinois

2
288 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#3 Best Quality In AZ

Grand Canyon University is a popular option for individuals pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Arizona.

There were roughly 288 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year.

Those nursing students who get their doctor's degree from Grand Canyon University make $4,472 more than the average nursing grad.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Grand Canyon University

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Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
221 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#5 Best Quality In MN

Any student who is interested in a doctor's degree in nursing has to look into Walden University. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 221 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year.

Doctorate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $109,600 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Walden University

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Rush University crest
Rush University
Chicago, IL
219 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Any student pursuing a degree in a doctor's degree in nursing has to check out Rush University. Located in the large city of Chicago, Rush University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were about 219 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rush University in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $105,000 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Rush University

5
196 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KY
#1 Best Quality In KY

Located in the rural area of Hyden, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Kentucky.

There were approximately 196 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Frontier Nursing University in the most recent data year.

After graduation, nursing doctorate recipients usually make around $101,400 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Frontier Nursing University

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Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
173 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#7 Best Quality In MN

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 173 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year.

Doctorate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $94,300 for their early career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Capella University

7
166 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#3 Best Quality In AL

USA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Mobile. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were about 166 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USA in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, nursing doctorate recipients generally earn an average of $113,800 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of South Alabama

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Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
140 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in North Carolina.

There were about 140 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $114,400 in their early career salary.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Duke University

9
125 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#1 Best Quality In NJ

Rutgers New Brunswick is a fairly large public university located in the small city of New Brunswick. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in New Jersey.

There were roughly 125 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $109,000 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

9
125 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#4 Best Quality In IL

UIC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chicago. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Illinois.

There were approximately 125 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $103,900 for their early career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago

11
117 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WA
#2 Best Quality In WA

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Washington.

There were about 117 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $101,600 in their early career salary.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

12
115 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Arizona.

There were roughly 115 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, nursing doctorate recipients usually make an average of $101,200 in their early careers.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Arizona

13
114 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Located in the large city of Baltimore, UMB is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Maryland.

There were roughly 114 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMB in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Maryland - Baltimore

14
113 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AL
#2 Best Quality In AL

Located in the medium-sized city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were approximately 113 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UAB in the most recent data year.

Doctorate recipients from the nursing degree program at University of Alabama at Birmingham make $8,572 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham

15
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
112 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In UT
#1 Best Quality In UT

U of U is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Utah.

There were approximately 112 nursing students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Utah

15
112 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in New York.

There were roughly 112 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Columbia University in the City of New York

17
111 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MN
#4 Best Quality In MN

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were about 111 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18
110 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#6 Best Quality In FL

Located in the large city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Florida.

There were roughly 110 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UNF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of North Florida

19
101 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#3 Best Quality In NC

UNC Greensboro is a large public university located in the city of Greensboro. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in North Carolina.

There were approximately 101 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UNC Greensboro in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

20
96 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#14 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 96 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brandman in the most recent data year.

Doctorate recipients from the nursing major at Brandman University get $5,872 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Brandman University

21
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
95 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In AL
#1 Best Quality In AL

Located in the large suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Alabama.

There were roughly 95 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Samford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Samford University

22
84 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In AZ
#4 Best Quality In AZ

ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tempe. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Arizona.

After graduating, nursing doctorate recipients generally earn around $102,800 in their early careers.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Arizona State University - Tempe

23
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
82 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#1 Best Quality In FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Florida.

There were about 82 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, nursing doctorate recipients usually make around $87,500 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of Florida

23
82 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TN
#3 Best Quality In TN

UTHSC is a small public university located in the large city of Memphis. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in Tennessee.

There were roughly 82 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UTHSC in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their doctorate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $116,900.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from The University of Tennessee - Health Science Center

25
78 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SC
#1 Best Quality In SC

Located in the midsize city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in South Carolina.

There were roughly 78 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at MUSC in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina

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27
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
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29
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
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Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
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NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
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Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA
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Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 404 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
50 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA
52 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
53 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX
54 Bradley University Peoria, IL
54 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
56 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
57 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
58 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
59 University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE
59 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students that almost earned our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing award.

Rank College Location
61 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
61 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
63 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
63 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
65 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
65 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
67 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
68 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
68 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
68 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
68 Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Boston, MA
68 University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester Worcester, MA
73 Augusta University Augusta, GA
74 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
74 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
74 Washington State University Pullman, WA
74 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
74 Union University Jackson, TN
79 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
80 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA

Nursing by Region

View the Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Nursing Practice 5,710
Registered Nursing 1,065
Nursing Science 874
Nurse Anesthetist 835
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 533
Nursing Administration 355
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 346
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 119
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 87
School Nursing 27

Related Major Annual Graduates
Medicine 27,562
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences 15,089
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 14,338
Dentistry 6,591
Chiropractic 2,596
Optometry 1,666
Communication Sciences 1,124
Alternative Medicine & Systems 1,044
Public Health 1,036
Allied Health Professions 470

Notes and References

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