Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Maryland

Created specifically for working adults and service members, the University of Maryland University College specializes in online education. That’s why their RN to BSN program is among the top you’ll find not just in Maryland, but in the nation. For in-state students who already are registered nurses (RNs), this is an affordable way to earn your BSN at your own pace. 

Despite being over 100 years old, Coppin State University feels like a newer, more innovative school than others on this list. Part of this is because they offer an excellent online BSN completion program, as well as a bridge and an accelerated degree program. Of course, most nursing students will be most interested in their traditional BSN. In-state students are able to take advantage of incredibly low tuition rates, and while the NCLEX pass isn’t the highest for grads, Coppin’s nursing program is still a high-quality option. 

Not only is Johns Hopkins University the first-ever research university in America but it’s often considered the gold standard for research and science. Here’s the bad news: the university offers no traditional BSN programs. However, they do have a robust graduate program for nurses interested in a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctoral nurse practitioner (DNP). While the cost is steep, no academic institution truly measures up to the history and quality of Johns Hopkins. 

Much like Johns Hopkins, Morgan State University is probably best known for the quality of its graduate nursing programs. However, they do offer a BSN that can be completed on campus. While the NCLEX pass rate isn’t impressive, the cost will surely attract future nurses' attention. Also, if you’re already sure you’ll want to continue your education, Morgan State could be an excellent option for each level.

Among the nation's most historic women’s colleges, Notre Dame of Maryland University has always been a driver for social change. While Notre Dame of Maryland has traditionally been a women’s college, men are now welcome to apply unless they’re interested in a four-year BSN. The traditional BSN is only offered through the women’s college, so only women may apply but men may transfer into the program in their junior year. However, the RN-BSN and accelerated BSN options are open for both women and men. 

You might not know what terrapene is, but you’ve probably heard of the University of Maryland at some point. This is arguably the state’s best all-around university and certainly the most prominent part of Maryland’s university system.

Similarly, their BSN program is among the top in the state and nation – all at a low in-state cost. Because of the quality of the program, getting accepted can be more difficult than other schools on this list (although not all schools disclose their acceptance rate into programs).

Consistently ranked as a top school in terms of quality and affordability, Frostburg State University doesn’t have the national recognition it deserves. Of course, with a low in-state cost, it’s likely that locals are going to be most interested in earning a degree from Frostburg.

While Frostburg doesn’t disclose the NCLEX pass rate for recent grads, their traditional BSN is still an excellent deal for in-state students. A highlight of their program is the nurse mentorship, where each student will be paired with a mentor to shadow and learn from. 

Villa Julie College rebranded as Stevenson University back in 2008, but it has maintained the quality it has developed over the years. One of the biggest changes to Stevenson is the growth of its online program; interestingly, there is no online option for nursing students. However, there is a traditional BSN program, which is the most common program for most nursing students anyway. The cost might seem steep, but Stevenson is a private school, and most students get some form of financial aid.

Salisbury University boasts an incredibly high graduation rate and a strong on-campus community, so they tend to attract students who are interested in the full college experience. Nursing students, of course, will get their own experience while working toward their BSN.

The traditional BSN follows a cohort system and only accepts around 72 students each year, so any applicants to Salisbury should apply to other schools as well, just in case. Salisbury University offers several nursing programs, including a traditional and second-degree BSN program, RN to BSN and RN to MSN bridge programs, and advanced degrees.

Towson University is located on a large plot just outside of Baltimore, giving students a mix of urban and suburban living. On campus, students interested in nursing can complete all their prerequisites before applying to the program. The traditional BSN, the most common program for nursing students, has consistently seen graduates pass the NCLEX at a higher rate than the Maryland average, with 2021’s pass rate at over 85%. Another bargain for in-state students is Towson’s prime location can set students up for a nice local job after graduating. Moreover, Towson University is recognized as one of the best values in higher education by Money magazine. TU is also proudly recognized as one of America’s Top 100 public institutions by U.S. News & World Report.