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2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major

64 Ranked Colleges
1,105 Degrees Awarded
$31,400 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2021-2022, 262,974 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,105 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major” ranking analyzed 64 colleges that offered a degree in registered nursing. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their registered nursing program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major

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

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing

1
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Out of the 64 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Chatham University landed the #1 spot on the list. Chatham University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 62 doctorate’s registered nursing 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Registered Nursing at Chatham University

2
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Lourdes University
Sylvania, Ohio

Out of the 64 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Lourdes University landed the #2 spot on the list. Lourdes is located in Sylvania, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Lourdes

3

Out of the 64 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Alabama landed the #3 spot on the list. University of South Alabama is a fairly large school located in Mobile, Alabama that handed out 148 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Alabama Registered Nursing Report

4
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Regis College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major. Weston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to 66 students in 2021-2022.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Regis College

5

Out of the 64 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Flint landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 57 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at UM Flint

6
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 90 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s registered nursing students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Utah

7
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Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, North Carolina

Gardner - Webb University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. Gardner - Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Gardner - Webb

8
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University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #8, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s registered nursing students in 2021-2022.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of San Francisco

9
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Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

With a ranking of #9, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 24 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Azusa Pacific University

10

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. This large school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 41 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Registered Nursing Report

11

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s registered nursing students 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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW Seattle Registered Nursing Report

12

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s registered nursing students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Mizzou Registered Nursing Report

13

University of California - San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #13. UCSF is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees 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 Registered Nursing at University of California - San Francisco

14

University of Detroit Mercy landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. University of Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 18 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Detroit Mercy

15
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. University of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 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%.

Full University of Mary Registered Nursing Report

16
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Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s registered 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 Registered Nursing at Washington State University

17
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Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

With a ranking of #17, Hampton University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. This small school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 Registered Nursing at Hampton University

18
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

With a ranking of #18, Yale University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified doctorate’s registered nursing students in 2021-2022.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%.

Full Yale University Registered Nursing Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Grand Valley State University Registered Nursing Report

20

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 46 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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 Registered Nursing at Ohio State University - Main Campus

21

With a ranking of #21, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 281 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 Registered Nursing at Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network

22

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 full report on Registered Nursing at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

23
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major ranking, coming in at #23. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Saint Louis University Registered Nursing Report

24
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. UPenn is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 22 doctorate’s registered nursing degrees 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 0.3%, 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.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Pennsylvania

25
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Registered Nursing Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s registered nursing 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Creighton University

Notes and References

References

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