15 Best Nursing Schools in the World | 2024

We all believe that the nursing profession is highly respected in the world. So, if you’ve chosen to study nursing in any of the best nursing schools in the world, you’ve made a wonderful decision. However, you will need to take a good look at the best schools for a nursing degree in the world offering the best nursing degree programs.

Studying at one of the best schools of nursing in the world is vital because the nursing profession takes only the best. That is why there is a licensing exam. You will have to pass this exam to be able to practice as a nurse, and the assurance of passing the exam is stronger studying in one of the best nursing schools.

Therefore, in this post, we will share with you the best nursing schools in the world. This will save you the time you’ll spend scouring the internet or flipping through journals for the best nursing programs in the world. Also, we will introduce you to the nursing education system and answer some other questions you may be asking already.

What is Nursing School?

According to Wikipedia: nursing school is a type of educational institution, or part thereof, providing education and training to become a fully qualified nurse. The nature of nursing education and nursing qualifications varies considerably across the world. Since the mid-20th-century, nursing education in many countries has undergone many enhancements.

What do nursing schools look for in applicants?

Below are some skills and values most nursing schools look out for in applicants:

  • Education
  • Drive
  • Organization
  • Adaptability
  • Empathy
  • Leadership
  • Accountability
  • Similar Values

Who accredits nursing schools?

Of course, to every major, a body accredits them. So, the body that accredits nursing schools in the world include:

  • The Commission on the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
  • The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation (ACNM)

What are good nursing schools?

Basically, in a lay man’s language, good nursing schools are said to be one of the best schools with a well conducive environment for learning, good infrastructures, well-qualified lecturers and professors and many more.

How do I choose the right Nursing school?

Basically, to choose the right nursing school for you, you should research all your options. Many schools now offer Nursing degree programs, from large public institutions to small private nursing schools; you can never run out of options.

However, you must consider some factors before settling for the right program in the right school.

Ask yourself some basic questions about each school:

  • What type of learning environment do I thrive in?
  • Do I require much extra help and one-on-one teaching, and will I be accommodated?
  • Can I afford tuition or qualify for enough financial aid?
  • Is the commute realistic?
  • Do I have to arrange my clinical hours, or does the school arrange for them?

How Can I Choose the Best RN Program?

Choosing the right nursing program is a great decision and can dictate your future nursing career. If you choose a BSN or ADN program, each offers different benefits to different students. It is important to define your goals for the program and your career. Many programs have different results and the different duration of the program.

Not all nursing students have the same life circumstances, professional experience, or academic training, so RN programs are very diverse.

Below are a few questions to ask yourself when considering different nursing programs: 

  • Do I prefer a small nursing program or a large one at a big university?
  • How much time can I commit to my studies, and how long do I want the program to take? There are traditional nursing programs, accelerated ones, those that can be completed mostly online, and others that cater to career changers. 
  • Do I want an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN)? An ADN can fast track you into a nursing career, but a bachelor’s degree can open more doors down the line.
  • Should I go for an MSN or other advanced nursing studies if I’m already in the field?

What Should I Consider When Choosing Nursing Program?

Basically, one of the factors you must consider is the program’s cost.The cost for a nursing degree program varies. Majorly, your program type, duration of program and institution will greatly influence how much you may spend.  

On top of the tuition, there are also these additional costs to consider, they include:

  • School and lab fees
  • Cost of books
  • Other course materials, such as uniforms and clinical supplies
  • Cost of living expenses, which may include on-campus room and board. 

What are my options when paying For Nursing Schools? 

There are a lot of options available to students to help pay the cost of tuition; they include: 

  • Student loans
  • Government stipends
  • Scholarships
  • Student Loan Forgiveness.

How much does it cost to get a Nursing Degree?

Associate degree programs

They cost much less than a nursing degree program. Tuition fees vary, but students can be expected to pay approximately $100 to $400 per credit. By paying government tuition fees at Community College, students can earn their diploma for only $3,000. At a larger university, prospective nurses can pay over $14,000 to obtain a nursing assistant’s certificate.

Bachelor’s degree programs

This is preferred by most healthcare institutions and would be required for a career as an advanced practice nurse, will pay more. Students typically pay between $300-$1,500 per credit for a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s in nursing can range from $40,000 at a state college to $200,000 at an elite, private university. 

What to know about the NCLEX?

The students of Nursing degree program are required to take the NCLEX exam. NCLEX is a standardized test that allows you to train as an RN. Without passing NCLEX, you cannot work as a registered nurse in any capacity.

Moreover, the best nursing schools should provide a strong academic, classroom and practical training to help you manage appropriate patient care and success as a registered nurse. The traditional baccalaureate programs offer intensive classroom education, as well as the clinical aspect that will help you prepare for becoming an entry-level registered but will also lay the necessary foundations necessary to advance your career during the graduate program.

Here is the list of the 15 best nursing schools in the World 2024

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Duke University
  • Emory University
  • University of Rochester
  • Villanova University
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • New York University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Portland
  • University of Virginia
  • Clemson University
  • Northeastern University
  • Case Western Reserve University

University of Pennsylvania

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

96%

Acceptance rate

9%

Penn is an elite private university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 10,496 undergraduate students. Admissions are extremely competitive, as the Penn acceptance rate is only 9%. Popular majors include Finance, Nursing, and Economics.

Graduating 96% of students, Penn alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $71,600. This is one of the best nursing schools in the world.

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Johns Hopkins University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

93%

Acceptance rate

13%

Johns Hopkins is a highly rated private university located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 5,668 undergraduate students. Admissions are extremely competitive, as the Johns Hopkins acceptance rate is 13%.

Popular majors include Public Health, Nursing, and International Relations. Graduating 93% of students, Johns Hopkins alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $62,700.

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Duke University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

95%

Acceptance rate

10%

Duke is one of the nursing schools in us, which is also among the best nursing schools in the World. In the Raleigh Area, Duke is also an elite private university in Durham, North Carolina. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,669 undergraduate students.

Admissions are extremely competitive, as the Duke acceptance rate is only 10%. Graduating 95% of students, Duke alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $76,300.

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Emory University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

91%

Acceptance rate

22%

Emory is also among the best nursing schools in the World. It is a highly rated private Christian university located in Druid Hills, Georgia, in the Atlanta Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,794 undergraduate students.

Admissions are competitive, as the Emory acceptance rate is 22%. Graduating 91% of students, Emory alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $57,500.

See also 11 Top Certified Nursing Assistant Online Classes.

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University of Rochester

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

85%

Acceptance rate

34%

Rochester is a highly rated private university located in Rochester, New York. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,250 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly competitive, as the Rochester acceptance rate is 34%. Popular majors include Nursing, Biology, and Economics. Graduating 85% of students, Rochester alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $44,800.

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Villanova University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

90%

Acceptance rate

36%

Villanova is a private and highly rated Catholic university, which happens to be among the best nursing schools in the World, located in the city of Radnor, Pennsylvania, in the Philadelphia region. It is a medium-sized institution with an enrollment of 6,525 university students.

Admission is somewhat competitive because Villanova’s admission rate is 36%. 90% of graduate students, Villanova graduates continue to receive a salary starting at $62,600.

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University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

92%

Acceptance rate

27%

Michigan is a highly rated public university in the Detroit area in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a large institution with 28,702 undergraduate students. Admission is competitive because Michigan’s admission rate is 27%.

92% of graduate students, Michigan graduates continue earning a salary of $49,800.

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Also, wish to study in Canada, then check out this 13 Best School of Nursing in Canada

New York University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

84%

Acceptance rate

28%

New York University is a high-rated private university in Manhattan, New York, in the New York City area. It is a large institution with 25,347 undergraduate students. Admission is competitive because the NYU admission rate is 28%.

84% of New York University graduate students continue to earn a salary from $48,900.

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Saint Louis University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

77%

Acceptance rate

64%

Saint Louis is a highly rated private Catholic university in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,625 undergraduate students. Admissions are somewhat competitive, as the Saint Louis acceptance rate is 64%. Popular majors include Business, Nursing, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

Graduating 77% of students, Saint Louis alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $45,700. This is also one of the best nursing schools in the World.

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Georgetown University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

95%

Acceptance rate

16%


Georgetown is a highly rated private Catholic university located in Washington, D.C. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,987 undergraduate students. Admissions are competitive, as the Georgetown acceptance rate is 16%.

Popular majors include Political Science and Government, International Relations, and Finance. Graduating 95% of students, Georgetown alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $65,200.

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University of Portland

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

82%

Acceptance rate

70%


The University of Portland also falls among the 15 best nursing schools in the World. It is also a highly rated private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 3,792 undergraduate students. Admissions are somewhat competitive as the University of Portland acceptance rate is 70%.

Popular majors include Nursing, Biology, and Psychology. Graduating 82% of students, the University of Portland alumni earn a starting salary of $53,800.

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See also these Top 19 Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Programs.

University of Virginia

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

95%

Acceptance rate

27%

UVA is a highly qualified public university located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a large institution with 15,766 undergraduate students.

Admission is competitive because the UVA acceptance rate is 27%. 95% of graduate students, UVA graduates continue to receive a salary starting at $50,300.

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Clemson University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

82%

Acceptance rate

47%

Clemson is a highly qualified public university located in South Carolina. It is a large institution with 18,642 university students.

Admission is somewhat competitive since Clemson’s admission rate is 47%. 82% of students graduated, Clemson graduates earn a salary from $43,600.

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Northeastern University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

87%

Acceptance rate

27%

Northeastern is a highly qualified private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a large institution with a student population of 1,386 undergraduate students. Admission is competitive since the admission rate in the Northeast is 27%.

87% of graduate students, Northeast graduates continue earning a salary of $54,400.

Have you ever imagined studying a nursing program online in your comfort zone? Then check out this 10 Most Useful Website Online for Nursing Students.

Case Western Reserve University

Accreditation

CCNE

Graduation rate

83%

Acceptance rate

33%


Case Western is a highly rated private university located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 4,978 undergraduate students. Admissions are fairly competitive, as the Case Western acceptance rate is 33%.

Popular majors include Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science. Graduating 83% of students, Case Western alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $59,600. Case Western University is also one of the best nursing schools in the World.

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FAQs for the Best Nursing Schools in the World:

Why choose the right nursing school?

Choosing the right nursing program is a great decision and can dictate your future nursing career. If you choose a BSN or ADN program, each offers different benefits to different students.

What should applicants look out for in nursing schools?

Below are what most nursing schools look out for in applicants:
Education
Drive
Organization
Adaptability
Empathy
Leadership
Accountability
Similar Values

Using a lay man’s language. Good nursing schools are said to be one of the best schools, with a well conducive environment for learning, good infrastructures, well-qualified lecturers and professors and many more.

Is there a body hat accredits nursing schools?

Of course, to every major, there’s a body that accredits them. So, below are some bodies that accredits nursing schools:
The Commission on the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation (ACNM)

Conclusion

Studying a Nursing program in any of the best schools for nursing worldwide is one of the best decisions you will ever make. In addition to the quality of education you will receive, you will also get the opportunity to help people stay healthy by working at any nursing school’s clinics.

However, you may have first to decide the kind of nurse you’ll want to be because of the regional restriction to certain nursing specializations worldwide. Also, if you have decided to attend one of the best nursing programs in the world, you will definitely need to use this post as a guide to select the school that’ll save cost for you.

Sources

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