Largest Nursing Colleges in the United States

Excelsior College

• Founded as Regents College in 1971, Excelsior is a distance learning institution with degree programs available in technology, liberal arts, business, health sciences and nursing. Its nursing school was found to be the largest in the United States by the NLN, with more than 21,000 students--or one out of 10 nursing students in the United States--enrolled in its programs. Excelsior only admits applicants with previous experience as licensed paramedics, nurses or military corpsmen. On average, enrollees have 10 years of experience in the field. Nearly 18,000 of Excelsior's nursing students were studying for their associate's degree, which is usually the educational route that students take to become a registered nurse.

  Excelsior College

  7 Columbia Circle

  Albany, NY 12203-5159

  888-647-2388

  excelsior.edu

Trinitas School of Nursing

• The Trinitas School of Nursing is a Cooperative Nursing Program run in conjunction with Union County College. Its campus in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is the setting for Trinitas' nearly 2,000 students. According to the NLN, it is the second largest nursing school in the United States, where students can choose between a Diploma in nursing and an associate degree in science. Since 1990, 97 percent of Trinitas students who take the National Council Licensing Exam have passed it on the first try. Students may take certain courses at either the Elizabeth, Cranford or Plainfield campuses of the Union County College in New Jersey.

  Trinitas School of Nursing

  225 Williamson St.

  Elizabeth, NJ 07207

  908-994-5000

  trinitashospital.org

Kent State University

• The third largest nursing school in the United States, Ohio's Kent State allows students to earn their associate or bachelor's degree in nursing entirely online. Admission requirements include graduation from either a diploma or associate degree program in nursing, a minimum 2.0 GPA from the student's previous academic institution and a current registered nursing license from the state in which the student intends to complete Kent State's clinic requirements. Admission is rolling and students may commence their studies in spring, summer or fall.

  Kent State University

  College of Nursing Admissions Processing

  1000 East Woodfield Road, Suite 240

  Schaumburg, IL, 60173

  877-223-1114

  kentstateonline.com