by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual reviewed 123 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for master's degree seekers in the field of nursing. Combined, these schools handed out 11,667 master's degrees in nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The nursing master'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. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
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 for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their master's degree.
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 the Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master'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.
It's hard to beat Duke University if you want to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Duke University receive an earnings boost of about $3,719 above the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Duke University
Emory University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master'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.
After graduating, nursing master's recipients usually make an average of $107,880 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Emory University
University of South Carolina - Columbia is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in nursing. UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $105,149 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Carolina - Columbia
It's hard to beat Medical University of South Carolina if you wish to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the medium-sized city of Charleston, MUSC is a public university with a small student population.
Master's recipients from the nursing major at Medical University of South Carolina make $7,303 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Medical University of South Carolina
Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Samford University receive an earnings boost of about $50,789 over the average earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Samford University
U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Coral Gables.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $107,332 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Miami
Located in the midsize suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $89,572 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Virginia - Main Campus
Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University receive $5,358 more than the standard nursing grad.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University
FIU is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Miami.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Florida International University earn a boost of about $8,396 above the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Florida International University
UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill.
Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients typically earn around $99,792 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Located in the medium-sized city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients usually make around $103,147 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale make $17,842 more than the standard nursing graduate.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Tampa.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from University of South Florida - Main Campus earn $2,057 more than the standard nursing graduate.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Florida - Main Campus
NUS Florida is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $102,338.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Nova Southeastern University
ECU is a very large public university located in the small city of Greenville.
Nursing master's degree recipients from East Carolina University get an earnings boost of about $6,215 over the average income of nursing majors.
More information about a master’s in nursing from East Carolina University
USA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Mobile.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career wages of $104,698.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Alabama
South University's online programs is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of Savannah.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $102,397 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from South University’s online programs
Southern Adventist is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Collegedale.
After graduation, nursing master's recipients usually earn an average of $105,170 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Southern Adventist University
Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Florida State University earn $103,589 more than the average nursing graduate.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Florida State University
Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Miami.
Nursing master's degree recipients from Barry University earn a boost of about $43,767 above the average income of nursing graduates.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Barry University
Located in the city of Little Rock, UAMS is a public university with a small student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $101,364.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
A-State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Jonesboro.
Master's recipients from the nursing program at Arkansas State University - Main Campus get $11,946 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Arkansas State University - Main Campus
AHU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Orlando.
Master's recipients from the nursing degree program at AdventHealth University make $106,557 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a master’s in nursing from AdventHealth University
Union is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Jackson.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $102,228 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Union UniversityThese are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL |
| 26 | South University, Tampa | Tampa, FL |
| 27 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
| 28 | University of Mississippi | University, MS |
| 29 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA |
| 30 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| 31 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC |
| 32 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 33 | Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA |
| 34 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 35 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 36 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN |
| 37 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
| 38 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
| 39 | Anderson University South Carolina | Anderson, SC |
| 40 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL |
| 41 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA |
Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 208 | 2,300 |
| Georgia | 190 | 1,353 |
| Virginia | 182 | 728 |
| North Carolina | 178 | 931 |
| Tennessee | 166 | 1,147 |
| Alabama | 151 | 1,997 |
| Kentucky | 147 | 1,361 |
| Louisiana | 147 | 340 |
| South Carolina | 146 | 369 |
| Mississippi | 145 | 175 |
| Arkansas | 121 | 229 |
| West Virginia | 112 | 145 |
Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 5,786 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 2,993 |
| Nursing Administration | 698 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 321 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 320 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 297 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 288 |
| Nursing Practice | 252 |
| School Nursing | 133 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 124 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health | 4,250 |
| Allied Health Professions | 3,991 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 3,537 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 2,953 |
| Communication Sciences | 2,178 |
| Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | 1,624 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 493 |
| Medical Illustration & Informatics | 433 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 413 |
| Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services | 288 |
