Best Nursing Schools in Raleigh, NC in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Raleigh, the city of oaks, is a beautiful and diverse place to live and work. The institutions for higher learning in the Raleigh North Carolina area are some of the best in the nation, the area being known as the Research Triangle. Raleigh is a prime location for professional nurses to study and start their careers. Registered nurses can earn between $38K to $71K per year depending on their educational level. Nurses with an advanced degree and more experience can earn between $90 to $155K per year. Some of the top nursing schools in Raleigh, NC offer degrees for entry-level nursing as well as advanced practice and nursing education. We also rank some of the best nursing programs in Charlotte and nursing schools in Fayetteville if you’re closer to those areas.

List of the best nursing schools in Raleigh NC in 2024

1. Campbell University

A private university, Campbell University offers large university educational opportunities with a rural feel. As an inclusive Christian university, Campbell welcomes diversity and provides a rich education for all who attend. Aspiring nurses are given interprofessional education opportunities, state of the art training facilities, and first-hand experience in meeting rural health care needs. With more healthcare agencies requiring a BSN to be employed as a nurse, Campbell offers a well-rounded BSN degree and different pathways to earn it.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $30,050
• Graduation Rate: 51%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 16:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%

2. Johnston Community College

Johnston Community College has been preparing students for certifications, associate degrees, and transfer programs for over 50 years. Johnston offers an ADN program for students that desire to begin their career as entry-level nurses or to prepare them to transfer to an RN to BSN program. It is one of the few community colleges that has its nursing program fully accredited by the ACEN. With a consistent NCLEX-pass rate of 99% for the past three years, Johnston Community College ranks among the top for aspiring nurses at a very affordable price.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $2,529
• Graduation Rate: 40.9%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 10:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 99%

3. Duke University

A private research university, Duke University, has had a long rich history in education on the east coast since it first opened in 1838. Duke maintains a historic affiliation with the Methodist church and is home to the 210-foot tower of Duke Chapel. Not only is the campus and architecture fascinating but so is the learning environment. Students at Duke are destined to succeed as future leaders and researchers. The nursing program is no exception. Duke University is one of the best nursing schools in Raleigh NC. Nursing students will be educated in nursing theory and participate in rich and diverse clinical experiences. Students even have opportunities to practice around the globe in immersion experiences. Duke currently offers numerous undergraduate, graduate and doctoral nursing programs with specializations.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $58,198
• Graduation Rate: 94.8%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 6:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%

4. Wake Technical Community College

Wake Technical Community College is a two-year technical college that offers an associate degree in nursing. It is the largest community college in North Carolina, serving over 71K adults. Wake Tech has been graduating well educated and expertly trained nurses that have served the surrounding community for years. Two paths are currently available for students seeking to earn their ADN form Wake Tech—a traditional path and an accelerated course.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $2,768
• Graduation Rate: 22.8%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 19:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%

5. Watts School of Nursing

Built on the tradition of excellence in nursing, Watts School of Nursing has been preparing nurses for over a century and still meets the exceptionally challenging and evolving profession of nursing. Nursing professionals can begin their education with a BSN or advance their careers through advanced degrees and experience offered at Watts. Affiliated with Duke Health, Watts offers a highly regarded nursing program with unique learning opportunities.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $11,312
• Graduation Rate: 80%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 8:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A public research university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill belongs to the universities that make up the Research Triangle and was also the first public university in the nation. With a long-standing history of excellence in education, the nursing program follows the same path of excellence. A top-ranked nursing school, UNC offers programs for every stage throughout the nursing career. UNC prepares future leaders and researchers of the nursing profession with skills of critical inquiry, compassionate caring, and innovative problem-solving.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $8,834
• Graduation Rate: 90%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 13:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%

7. Durham Technical Community College

Durham Technical Community College is a growing and expanding community college with seven campuses to serve students in the Raleigh/Durham area. Durham Tech is an accredited college and offers aspiring nursing students an associate degree in nursing. Graduates can take the NCLEX-RN exam and upon passing they will have the RN certificate that will allow them to work in a variety of health care settings from acute care, to long-term care, to emergency care, and more.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $1,840
• Graduation Rate: 14.8%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 14:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 79%

8. North Carolina Central University

A historically black public university, North Carolina Central University was the first public liberal arts university for African Americans in the nation. For over a century, students have been prepared to transform their communities by attending this world-class research university that embraces diversity and inclusion. Nursing students are trained to care for diverse populations with skill and understanding. The nursing program collaborates with health care facilities in the community to foster real-life experience and practice to more adequately prepare graduates for their role as professional nurses. There are numerous pathways for students to earn their nursing degrees, from traditional to accelerated and online options.

At A Glance

• Tuition: $6,132
• Graduation Rate: 47%
• Faculty to Student Ratio: 15:1
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 73%

Methodology

With some of the country’s best nursing schools in Raleigh North Carolina and a vibrant community to live in, this is the prime location to start a rewarding career. Right at the heart of the Research Triangle and leading the nation in innovative research and technology, graduates quickly rise to leadership and advanced practices to further enhance the care and treatment of individuals, families, and communities.

The schools on our list of nursing schools in Raleigh NC were ranked according to a matrix of the NCLEX-RN test pass rate and the cost of the institution. Programs that offered multiple nursing degrees and programs were ranked higher than those offering a single associate nursing degree based on the growing demand for nursing professionals to hold a BSN before being employed by a healthcare system. Feel free to contact us with any questions.