Nurse.org has ranked the best nursing schools in many states. This month we look at four states — Massachusetts, Florida, Texas and Washington — to highlight their choices for best nursing schools of 2018.
MASSACHUSETTS
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts is the second-highest paying state for nurses, behind California. Nurses make an annual mean wage of $89,060 a year, well above the national average.
1. BOSTON COLLEGE–shown
Tuition: $70,588; Admission rate: 31%
2. SIMMONS COLLEGE
Tuition: $57,685; Admission rate: 64%
3. UMASS (BOSTON)
Tuition: $13,828; Admission rate: 69%
4. UMASS (AMHERST)
Tuition: $30,814; Admission rate: 60%
5. UMASS (LOWELL)
Tuition: $29,922; Admission rate: 60%
FLORIDA
The Sunshine State has one of the highest rates of nurses per capita for any state, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 140,000 nurses are employed statewide. Projections are for a nursing shortage for years to come.
1. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA—shown
Tuition: $21,131; Admission rate: 46%
2. JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $53,150; Admission rate: 49%
3. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Tuition: $66,274; Admission rate: 38%
4. FLORIDA STATE UNIVESITY
Tuition: $22,625; Admission rate: 58%
5. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Tuition: $21,410; Admission rate: 47%
TEXAS
Texas is the second largest employer of nurses in the US with well over 200,000 nurses currently employed. Nurses here also earn above the national median wage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS (AUSTIN)—shown
Tuition: $25,178; Admission rate: 40%
2. BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $60,413; Admission rate: 40%
3. TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $62,970; Admission rate: 38%
4. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $27,581; Admission rate: 66%
5.UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS (ARLINGTON)
Tuition: $24,660; Admission rate: 61%
WASHINGTON
Washington is home to some of the top nursing programs in the nation. The state is one of the highest paying nursing states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON—shown
Tuition: $26,595; Admission rate: 45%
2. GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $57,350; Admission rate: 67%
3. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Tuition: $59,607; Admission rate: 74%
4. WASHINGTON STATE
Tuition: $25,936; Admission rate: 73%
5. SEATTLE PACIFIC
Tuition: $56,415; Admission rate: 87%