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Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (Direct-Entry-MSN) programs setting the standard for undergraduate education combine rigorous clinical preparation with strong student outcomes. Accredited four-year Direct-Entry-MSN tracks offer funded research labs, top academic health system placements, and direct pathways to advanced practice roles. Ranked using the allnurses Quality Score across 12 federal data indicators.
Data Last updated: May 16, 2026
Sources:
IPEDS /
College Scorecard / Editorial Team
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland holds the #3 spot among the nation's nursing schools. Graduates earn a median of $87,555 within ten years.
BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
Ranked #4 in the nation, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It offers 14 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina holds the #5 spot among the nation's nursing schools. Graduates earn a median of $72,200 within ten years.
Accelerated-BSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
A top-ten nursing school, Emory University is a private nonprofit institution in Atlanta, Georgia ranked #7 nationally. Total enrollment is about 15,200 students.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NE, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, PhD, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
Ranked #11 nationally, New York University is a private nonprofit institution in New York, New York. Graduates earn a median of $82,509 within ten years.
Accelerated-BSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Ranked #26 nationally, University of Detroit Mercy is a private nonprofit institution in Detroit, Michigan. Graduates earn a median of $71,030 within ten years.
BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota is a private nonprofit institution ranked among the top 50 nursing schools. The acceptance rate is 75%.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NE, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD
One of the top 50 nursing schools in the country, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It offers 15 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
One of the top 50 nursing schools in the country, Stockton University is a public institution in Galloway, New Jersey. Total enrollment is about 8,631 students.
BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Ranked #50 nationally, Michigan State University is a public institution in East Lansing, Michigan. Annual in-state tuition is $16,458.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NE, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, PhD
West Virginia University is a public institution in Morgantown, West Virginia. Total enrollment is about 23,600 students.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, PhD
McNeese State University is a public institution in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Graduates earn a median of $46,453 within ten years.
ABSN, ADN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, Post-MSN-Cert, RN-BSN
Saint Peter's University is a private nonprofit institution in Jersey City, New Jersey. Graduates earn a median of $57,815 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
One of the larger institutions in the state, University of Kentucky is a public school in Lexington, Kentucky with over 34,709 students. Annual in-state tuition is $13,502.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
University of San Francisco provides nursing education from its campus in San Francisco, California. Total enrollment is about 8,913 students.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, PhD, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in Murray, Kentucky, Murray State University is a public institution. Graduates earn a median of $44,737 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, PhD
Viterbo University is a private nonprofit school in La Crosse, Wisconsin offering nursing education. It offers 10 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in Mobile, Alabama, University of South Alabama is a public institution. Graduates earn a median of $49,379 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
With annual in-state tuition at $4,630, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina is among the more affordable public options in the region. It offers 12 nursing programs across various degree levels.
BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
Point Loma Nazarene University provides nursing education from its campus in San Diego, California. It offers 10 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Bethel University provides nursing education from its campus in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Annual in-state tuition is $44,226.
ABSN, BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Bellarmine University is a private nonprofit school in Louisville, Kentucky offering nursing education. Graduates earn a median of $62,069 within ten years.
BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, PhD
Based in Staten Island, New York, College of Staten Island CUNY is a public institution. The school reports a 66% graduation rate.
ADN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, Post-MSN-Cert, RN-BSN
A public institution, Northwestern State University of Louisiana serves students in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Annual in-state tuition is $8,864.
ABSN, ADN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-MSN-Cert, RN-BSN
University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida is a public institution with a 91% graduation rate and over 56,311 students. Graduates earn a median of $71,588 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-AGNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
