[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At NurseJournal.org, we create our rankings using a student-centered methodology. Our approach assesses each school’s overall merit, incorporating the most recent data from trusted sources into our formula to rank the top nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We built our methodology around the metrics that we believe matter most to students: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. We weigh these factors and divide them into subfactors to rank programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While we feature sponsored schools on our ranking pages, we rank only the top schools according to our methodology. Schools cannot pay to be on our list or to receive a higher ranking.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For a transparent look into our rankings process, you can find information on our data sources, exclusion criteria, and the formulas we use below. We hope that as a prospective student, you find our ranked lists helpful as you research and compare potential nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]About the Data We Use[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use the most current datasets from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/” target=”_blank”]Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System[/hen-ui-link] (IPEDS) and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/” target=”_blank”]College Navigator[/hen-ui-link], both published by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/” target=”_blank”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (NCES). As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Institute of Education Sciences, the NCES collects and analyzes education data in the United States, including American colleges and universities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We also leverage data from [hen-ui-link href=”https://petersonsdata.com/” target=”_blank”]Peterson’s[/hen-ui-link], which maintains comprehensive undergraduate and graduate-level databases that are continually updated throughout the year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When incorporating data into our ranking methodology, our quality assurance team carefully assesses each school and excludes those missing a significant amount of data. This ensures that our calculations reflect the most accurate and complete data available.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Our team updates our rankings based on newly released data. We pulled the most current data in October 2024 to create our 2025 ranked lists.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When applicable, our independent third-party panel of experts reviews page content — excluding school descriptions — for accuracy.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Exclusion Criteria[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We omit schools that do not meet certain minimum requirements for our rankings lists and those that do not provide sufficient data. For example, if a school does not provide data about cost and affordability, that school is automatically excluded from our affordability-focused rankings. We do this to ensure that we highlight schools that are transparent about their data and to establish an initial threshold when it comes to school and program quality.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because we also strive to support diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, beginning in 2024, we automatically exclude schools that support or promote anti-LGBTQ+ policies, groups, practices, and/or initiatives from new college rankings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools are ineligible for our database if they:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have a graduation rate of less than 10%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have a retention rate of less than 10%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have a four-year completion rate for low-income students of less than 10%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Do not provide any of the above data to IPEDS or Peterson’s[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Do not meet our inclusion criteria for LGTBQ+-friendly campuses[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools are ineligible for our Affordable lists if they:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Do not provide data specifying the [hen-ui-link href=”#affordability”]average net price after aid[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Lastly, schools are ineligible from earning the number one spot on our lists if they do not provide the complete set of data points outlined in our methodology.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”not-prose pt-8 pb-8″]A Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]General Rankings[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]40%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Academic Quality[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]25%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Affordability[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]20%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Reputation[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]15%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Program Offerings[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Affordability Rankings[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]25%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Academic Quality[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]45%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Affordability[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]20%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Reputation[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]10%[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Program Offerings[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]About Our Ranking Factors[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Our team selects the factors and subfactors for school rankings that we believe are most relevant to students. This student-centered methodology emphasizes academic quality, affordability, reputation, and versatile program offerings. We divide these factors into subfactors and incorporate this data into our weighted calculation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We believe prospective students should understand the factors we use and their importance. This section provides a detailed overview of the subfactors that make up our rankings formulas, including data like graduation rate, net price, and financial aid offerings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”pb-4″]Subfactors for Academic Quality[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Graduation Rate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A program’s graduation rate measures the number of enrolled students who complete their degree within the expected timeframe. A high graduation rate often indicates strong student satisfaction and support, while a low graduation rate correlates with a high dropout rate or a poorly designed program. Data on graduation rates can also indicate programs that provide high-quality resources for students, including academic advising and mentoring.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Retention Rate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A program’s retention rate provides additional information on academic quality, particularly when paired with its graduation rate. This rate measures the percentage of currently enrolled students who remain enrolled in the program. Similar to a high graduation rate, a high retention rate can demonstrate strong student satisfaction. High retention rates can also correlate with effective student support services, indicating that students receive help overcoming academic challenges.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Student-to-Faculty Ratio[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A school’s student-to-faculty ratio measures the number of students in relation to the number of faculty members. A lower student-to-faculty ratio can indicate that students receive more one-on-one learning opportunities and personalized attention from faculty members. The ratio also correlates with faculty quality and qualifications. Schools with a low student-to-faculty ratio invest in hiring enough faculty members to support their student populations.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”pb-4″ id=”affordability”]Subfactors for Affordability[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Average Net Price for Students Awarded Financial Aid[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This figure indicates what learners pay for their education, minus any [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarships/”]scholarships and grants[/hen-ui-link]. Few students pay full tuition, with most receiving some type of financial aid. This measurement heavily weighs in our methodology as it determines a college’s affordability and the amount of financial aid students can get.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Loan Default Rate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A program’s loan default rate measures how many students could repay their loans after completing the program. A high loan default rate indicates that many graduates could not repay their loans, which often points to a lack of employment opportunities. A low loan default rate can demonstrate strong job prospects after graduation. Our methodology factors in the loan default rate as a measure of a degree’s affordability and its ability to prepare graduates for the workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Average in Student Loans Awarded to Undergraduate Student[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges that feature a high average of student loans awarded to undergraduates also have graduates with large debt loads. A low average shows students’ ability to pay out of pocket for tuition. Loans include any financial aid distributed to the students, aside from Direct PLUS loans.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Average Grant and Scholarship Aid Awarded[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarships/”]Grants and scholarships[/hen-ui-link] from federal, state, and private funds help students pay for their education. This figure indicates how much “free” financial aid students receive. Colleges that offer larger grant and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]scholarship[/hen-ui-link] aid packages provide greater affordability and accessibility to nursing students.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Median Debt for Student[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This data point indicates the middle figure of what graduates owe. Sometimes, nursing students may take on more loans when they delay their graduation by attending part time, raising the median debt rate. A program that offers greater affordability has a lower rate.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”pb-4″]Subfactors for Reputation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Admission Rate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A school’s admission rate indicates the percentage of applicants admitted to a program. Selective schools with more rigorous admissions processes feature lower admission rates. Indiscriminate schools have high admissions rates. This factor weighs heavily in our rankings since a program’s reputation affects a graduate’s future earnings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Enrollment Rate[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This number reflects how many students enroll at a school. The college enrollment rate does not reflect how many students graduate or drop out. Enrollment rates demonstrate the school’s reputation and indicate overall trends across the nation. This rate does not affect outcomes, such as a graduate’s earnings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Average Earnings of Students Working[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This average plays a significant role in our methodology, indicating which schools have more financially successful students. A higher average income means that graduates earned more annually within six years after they enrolled in college. Schools with better networking resources and career services often produce graduates with higher earnings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”pb-4″]Subfactors for Program Offerings[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Number of Programs Offered[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This factor considers the overall number of programs offered by a school. A high number of programs reflects the institution’s commitment to nursing education. In general, a nursing school with a high number of programs better suits learners, who receive greater access to academic services, academic advisors, and faculty members. Diverse program options can also benefit nursing students who are considering specializations or related degrees.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Percent of Students Enrolled in Online [Degree Level] Programs*[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This percentage indicates how many students participate in online programs at specific degree levels, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. This data point is different for each ranking depending on the degree level we’re ranking.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-900″]Overall Online Enrollment*[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The overall online enrollment number indicates how many students enroll in any online learning program, including hybrid degrees and single online classes. A school that offers more online programs is likely to have robust support for online learners.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]*This metric is excluded from on-campus rankings calculations.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card]