Nursing Course in USA: Top Colleges, Requirements, Fees
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Rated at #10 for Best Healthcare Jobs in the USA, Nursing has become a popular choice in the USA among international students as per US News & World Report in 2024. Recording the highest salary of a registered nurse in the USA at USD 155,230, admissions have gotten even tougher for international students. Check out everything about nursing courses in USA through this article.
Overall, Nursing courses in the USA are available at all levels of study - pathway, graduate, certificate, postgraduate and others. Get more details about nursing courses offered at all levels to study in the USA for international students in this article.
Nursing Courses in USA Highlights
| Types of Nursing Courses |
Certificate, Advanced Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Pathway |
| Duration |
UG: 3-4 years PG: 1-2 years |
| Average Tuition Fee |
UG: USD 50,000 PG: USD 35,000 |
| Median Salary |
USD 77,800 |
| Internships |
Clinical Internships Available |
| Popular Specialisations |
Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, and others. |
| Top US State for Nursing Jobs |
San Jose, California |
Why Study Nursing Courses in the USA?
Nursing is one the major fields of study which attracts various students from across the globe to study in the USA. The top reasons to study nursing courses in the USA as an international student are as follows:
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- Nursing is a high-paying job in the USA and is the #10th best job option in the USA.
- The annual average salary of a registered nurse is USD 89,010 which is very high for skilled professionals practicing in the USA.
- To become a registered nurse in the USA, applicants will just have to complete their bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Once the applicants become registered nurses, they can practice anywhere in the USA.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a 5.6% growth in employment for registered nurses between the years 2022 and 2032. It is estimated that around 177,400 jobs would open up.
- The hourly mean wage for registered nurses in the USA is close to USD 42.80, thus, the nursing applicants can earn around USD 1,712 per week.
Interested applicants can also go for these nursing courses and apply for jobs afterwards. Since its a lucrative job option, applicants can apply for nursing courses if they come from a science background.
Top 5 Ranking Nursing Universities in USA
Nursing colleges in the USA that have been ranked under the subject rankings of QS - World University rankings for the year 2023 are as follows, along with the courses offered in the corresponding column:
| Nursing Colleges in USA for International Students |
QS - Nursing Subject Rankings 2024 |
Nursing Courses Offered |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
|
| #3 |
Masters of Science in Nursing |
|
| #4 |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
|
| #9 |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
|
| #10 |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
The best nursing school in USA is the University of Pennsylvania for the year 2023, as per QS’s Nursing (subject) rankings. The first position has remained consistent for the University of Pennsylvania for the past four years straight.
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Everything About Nursing Courses in USA
In order to apply for nursing courses in the USA, applicants will have to have completed certain science courses or natural science courses and scored a good GPA on the same at either high school or at the bachelor’s level depending upon the level of course the applicant is applying for.
Documents Required for Nursing Courses in USA
There are common requirements irrespective of the level of study the applicant is applying for in the USA, especially in the case of Nursing courses and they are as follows:
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation (LORs)
- Essays
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
- Standardised test scores are optional for undergraduates and postgraduates. In case the applicant has already taken the test, and they wish to submit the scores, they can submit them. SAT or ACT for UG applicants and GRE for postgrads.
Requirements to Study Nursing in USA for International Students
Nursing in the USA requirements vary with universities offering this course, let us discuss in detail about these universities and their admission requirements:
| Nursing Colleges in USA for International Students |
Nursing Courses Offered |
Admission Requirements for International Students |
Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
|
USD 75 |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
|
USD 80 |
|
| Johns Hopkins University |
Masters of Science in Nursing |
|
USD 75 |
| University of Washington |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
|
- |
| Yale University |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
|
USD 75 |
| University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
|
USD 60 |
Though the US universities have common admission requirements, yet there may be some requirements that are additionally required while there may a few that may not be required. It is advised that applicants check for the US intakes and the admission requirements required for the nursing course of admission.
Read: Nursing Courses in UK
Top-Paying US States for Registered Nurses
Some of the best US states that pay registered nurses highly are as follows along with their corresponding average salaries drawn annually given in the table below:
| Best-Paying US States for Registered Nurses |
Average Salaries |
|---|---|
| California |
USD 124,000 |
| Hawaii |
USD 106,530 |
| Oregon |
USD 98,630 |
| District of Columbia, DC |
USD 98,540 |
| Alaska |
USD 97,230 |
(Source: US News)
There are various specialisations in the nursing courses offered in the USA, which are popularly opted for and hold significance for full-timers as well. Those who are interested can apply for these courses based on the intake of their choice. Deadlines must be checked before applicants wish to submit their applications and commence their courses.
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Nursing Course in USA FAQs
Q. How many years is nursing course in America?
A. In USA, nursing course is offered at two levels - UG and PG. The duration varies for both UG and PG nursing courses in USA. For BSN (UG) course duration is 3-4 years whereas, for MSN (PG) course duration is 1-2 years in USA.
Q. What is the cost of nursing in USA?
A. The cost of nursing in USA is USD 50,000 annually for an undergraduate nursing course and USD 35,000 annually for a postgraduate nursing course in USA. The fee may vary with the university offering the nursing course in USA based on the level of study as well. Applicants must check the fee details before applying for admissions.
Q. What are the requirements for studying nursing in the USA?
A. The requirements for studying nursing in USA vary by the level of course opted for.
For undergraduate nursing courses in USA, applicants should:
- Pass high school
- Submit English language tests
- Standardised tests if required
For postgraduate nursing courses in USA, applicants should:
- Bachelor's degree
- Active RN License copy
- English language proficiency tests
- Standardised test scores
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Is Texas Wesleyan hard to get into?
As per the US News and World Report, Texas Wesleyan University acceptance rate is 58%. This shows that the university's admission process is relatively selective. Therefore, some students may find it harder to get into the university. Also, international students are advised to check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. Please note that the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: What is the OHIO Excellence Scholarship?
First-year students who are new to the Athens campus of Ohio University are considered for the OHIO Excellence Scholarship. The factors that are considered to grant this scholarship are academic achievement, financial need, and individual contributions to the incoming first-year class. This is a merit-based scholarship and the award amount for this scholarship varies up to USD 6,500 annually.
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