For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
Our mission at Nursing Schools Almanac is to provide aspiring nurses a detailed, comprehensive, and analytical resource for selecting their future nursing school. An integral part of this effort is our annual rankings of the best nursing schools in the country.
To provide a complete view, we collected a wealth of data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses nationwide. We then assessed each of these institutions on three critical dimensions.
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. More than 1,800 of the institutions surveyed were public, including community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. More than 1,100 of the institutions surveyed were private, including vocational and career schools, liberal arts colleges, and universities. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We included the following states within our New England rankings: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. We evaluated each nursing school in the region on three dimensions:
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While California nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful, it still takes a lot of work and the right education to obtain a lucrative position as a registered nurse (RN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or certified nursing assistant (CNA). RNs must be skilled at performing a variety of challenging tasks from conducting diagnostic tests and analyzing results to establishing effective care plans for the sick or injured.
The state of California is home to the nation’s largest population of registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and certified nursing assistants. This means that California nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful in cities across the state. So what do these professionals do, and how do they prepare for success?
When evaluating nursing schools, the all-in cost of education is definitely a major factor to consider. To help get you on your way, here are a few important points for consideration.
Public schooling offers a great education at a decent cost, but private schools usually have the advantage of smaller class size and more personalized attention. Private institutions also enjoy greater freedom in curriculum development since they are not subsidized by the state or local government. As a result, private schools often hold an innovation edge over their public counterparts, especially when it comes to nursing education.
Public schooling often doesn't receive the full credit it deserves. There's a common misperception that public institutions come up short when compared side-by-side with their private counterparts. That’s actually far from the truth. Like any private school, the public school system has an impetus to offer quality education to students. There are many excellent public education options within the nursing field.
Nursing is increasingly becoming one of the world’s most popular professions, and with good reason – the jobs pay well. Aspiring nurses can choose from several distinct career tracks and specializations; we've profiled these in ascending order by salary.
The cost of nursing school depends on a wide variety of factors including the type of school you attend (public vs. private), the type of program you choose (certificate vs. degree program), where you live (state resident vs. non-resident), and whether you commute or live on campus. With this in mind, aspiring nursing professionals can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000+ per semester for tuition fees.
Embarking on a nursing career is a monumental life decision. It's critical to evaluate all factors when selecting your educational institution, including personal fit, programs offered, and (of course) price.
While it's understandable to be pocket-weary, bear in mind that a nursing education is an excellent investment. In Iowa, the annual mean wage for registered nurses is $53,520. Advanced practice registered nurses can earn anywhere from $85,290 (nurse practitioners) to $161,770 (nurse anesthetists) on an annual basis.
A private college or university doesn’t receive funds from the state. These schools rely upon tuition and private contributions in the form of endowments and alumni gifts. Since they are not state-subsidized, private colleges and universities usually charge higher tuition rates than their public counterparts.
A public college or university is an institution primarily supported by state funds and governed by state-appointed boards and trustees. There are many benefits to attending a public college or university. For example, if you attend a public institution in your home state, you will earn a big break on tuition costs. As a state resident, you'll also have a higher chance of admittance than out-of-state applicants. Public universities and colleges tend to be larger and therefore have more program options than private institutions.