Top 20 Nursing Schools in America Hardest to Get Into

Dec 19

Admission to the most elite nursing schools in the United States has become intensely competitive. These programs combine academic prestige rigorous clinical training and access to top hospital systems. Acceptance rates remain low. Academic expectations stay high. Below is a ranked list of the twenty hardest nursing schools to gain admission to based on selectivity reputation research strength and outcomes.

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Johns Hopkins sets the gold standard. Acceptance rates often fall below ten percent. Applicants need exceptional GPAs strong science backgrounds and clear leadership in healthcare.

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Penn Nursing blends Ivy League prestige with Penn Medicine access. Admissions favor top academic performers with strong clinical and research interests.

Duke University School of Nursing
Duke attracts national and international applicants. Accelerated and traditional tracks are both highly selective and academically demanding.

Columbia University School of Nursing
Columbia’s programs in New York City face intense competition. Direct entry pathways and advanced practice tracks admit only top tier candidates.

University of California Los Angeles School of Nursing
UCLA offers elite training with limited seats. Demand far exceeds supply making admission extremely difficult.

University of Michigan School of Nursing
Michigan emphasizes research leadership and advanced practice. Admissions standards remain consistently high.

University of Washington School of Nursing
This program excels in population health and advanced practice. Selectivity is strong across undergraduate and graduate levels.

Yale University School of Nursing
Yale focuses on advanced practice and leadership. Small cohorts drive low acceptance rates.

New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
NYU draws global applicants. Urban clinical exposure and strong employment outcomes raise competition.

Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Emory benefits from proximity to the CDC and top hospitals. Admissions remain highly selective.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
UNC offers elite education at a public institution. Limited spots make admission very competitive.

University of California San Francisco School of Nursing
UCSF focuses on graduate and doctoral education. Research intensity and prestige drive extreme selectivity.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Vanderbilt emphasizes advanced practice and clinical excellence. Admissions standards are rigorous.

Rush University College of Nursing
Rush is deeply integrated with its medical center. Clinical rigor and outcomes attract top applicants.

University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Pitt combines strong research funding with clinical depth. Admissions favor academically elite candidates.

Ohio State University College of Nursing
Ohio State’s national reputation and research output increase competition.

Boston College Connell School of Nursing
Boston College emphasizes ethics leadership and clinical excellence. Admissions remain selective.

University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
UT Austin combines flagship prestige with limited capacity. Admission remains highly competitive.

University of Virginia School of Nursing
UVA focuses on leadership and evidence based practice. Acceptance rates stay low.

University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Minnesota offers strong research and advanced practice pathways. Selectivity remains high.

Gaining admission to these programs requires more than strong grades. Successful applicants show clinical exposure leadership service and a clear vision for their nursing careers. These schools consistently produce nurse leaders practitioners and educators at the highest level.

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High value sources

U S News Best Nursing Schools
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools

American Association of Colleges of Nursing
https://www.aacnnursing.org

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
https://nursing.jhu.edu

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
https://www.nursing.upenn.edu

Duke University School of Nursing
https://nursing.duke.edu

Columbia University School of Nursing
https://www.nursing.columbia.edu

UCLA School of Nursing
https://nursing.ucla.edu

University of Michigan School of Nursing
https://nursing.umich.edu