Many students pursuing a career in nursing go for PhD programs to open more opportunities in their future. The United States offers some of the best PhD nursing programs in the world and students from all over the globe visit here to pursue higher studies. Here in this article, we have compiled a list of the Top 12 PhD nursing programs in the USA 2023 that nursing students can go for.
Best PhD Nursing Programs in The USA
These are the top 10 PhD nursing programs in the USA 2023 ranked on the basis of their graduation rate, students review and other parameters.
S. No. | College name | Location |
1 | Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing | Baltimore, Maryland |
2 | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing | Nashville, Tennessee |
3 | Walden University College of Nursing | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
4 | Columbia University School of Nursing | New York City, New York |
5 | Michigan State University College of Nursing | East Lansing, Michigan |
6 | University of Central Florida College of Nursing | Orlando, Florida |
7 | University of Kansas School of Nursing | Lawrence, Kansas |
8 | University of Arizona College of Nursing | Tucson, Arizona |
9 | Indiana University School of Nursing | Bloomington, Indiana |
10 | University of Colorado College of Nursing | Denver, Colorado |
11 | University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing | Columbia, Missouri |
12 | University of Texas School of Nursing | Austin, Texas |
PhD Nursing Programs In The USA 2023
Now that you know the best PhD nursing programs in the USA 2023, let us learn a little bit more about them in detail.
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Established in 1889, the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is one of the oldest schools for nursing education in the US. The school offers nursing programs from Master’s to DNP and PhD and is often rated as the top nursing program in the nation. With Johns Hopkins, students also get online options, post-degree opportunities, and nursing prerequisites.
Official website: https://nursing.jhu.edu/
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (also known by its initials VUSN) is a part of the prestigious Vanderbilt University. The School of Nursing is ranked in the top 10 in the rankings by US News & World Report. The doctorate practice program of the school was ranked 6th in the 2022 graduate school rankings.
Official website: https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/
Walden University College of Nursing
The Walden University College of Nursing was established by two New York teachers, Bernie and Rita Turner, in 1970. They created the program for working professionals who wish to pursue doctoral degrees without hampering their work. The school offers online CCNE-accredited programs developed by actual practitioners.
Official website: https://www.waldenu.edu/
Columbia University School of Nursing
Columbia University School of Nursing is one of the oldest nursing schools in the United States. Founded in 1892, the school was the first to be selected as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice. The school was founded as the Presbyterian Hospital Training School for Nurses when the hospital wasn’t able to find competent staff.
Official website: https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/
Michigan State University College of Nursing
A part of Michigan State University, the College of Nursing is among the top graduate nursing programs in the country. The college offers a professional student environment that fosters professional and personal development of pre-nursing and nursing students. Established in 1950, Michigan State University College of Nursing is a good option for PhD program.
Official website: https://nursing.msu.edu/
University of Central Florida College of Nursing
Established in the year 1978 with a handful of students, the University of Central Florida College of Nursing currently enrols over 3000 students in its nursing program. The college offers one of the most innovative learning environment and its online graduate nursing programs is considered one of the best in the state of Florida.
Official website: https://nursing.ucf.edu/
University of Kansas School of Nursing
Another one of the oldest nursing programs is offered at the University of Kansas School of Nursing which got its start 115 years ago in 1906. From bachelor’s to master’s and doctoral degrees, the KU School of Nursing provides a student-centered environment for every level of a nurse’s career. The only university in the region to offer a PhD in nursing, the school is led by dedicated, award-winning and innovative faculty.
Official website: https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-nursing.html
University of Arizona College of Nursing
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is known and praised for its cultural diversity and educational excellence. Located in a sweeping valley in Tucson and surrounded by mountains, the college offers one of the best nursing PhD programs. Students can either join online graduate programs or take their courses on the school’s campus.
Official website: https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/
Indiana University School of Nursing
Known for its nursing research and education, scholarship of teaching and nursing practice, the Indiana University School of Nursing is counted among the best nursing schools. The School offers nursing programs and clinical training at regional campuses, health hospitals and online. Established in 1914 as the Indiana University Training School, it was renamed the IU School of Nursing in 1956.
Official website: https://nursing.iu.edu/iupui/index.html
University of Colorado College of Nursing
The University of Colorado College of Nursing offers 4 programs (BS, MS, DNP & PhD) along with specialties in nursing. Its online PhD program equips nurses to conduct research and to engage in knowledge development. The college offers its program via different modes- online, traditional classroom and hybrid and the students are free to select the mode as per their choice.
Official website: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/
University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing
Founded in 1920, the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing offers one of the best PhD nursing programs in the USA. The Sinclair School of Nursing is affiliated with the University of Missouri and University of Missouri Health Care. The offered nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Official website: https://nursing.missouri.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing offers probably one of the best PhD nursing program.
The acceptance rate for both men and women is 11%.
Every college has its own criteria for enrolment. Students should check these criteria before applying for PhD nursing program in America.