Narrow your choices to a specific geographic region. Even if you are willing to travel, having some idea of how far you want to move can help you winnow out nursing programs in areas where you do not wish to live.
Study the differences between types of nursing programs to decide which is right for you. A nurse practitioner and a certified nursing assistant have different job responsibilities, earning potential and degree program lengths.
Make a list of the factors that are most important to you in a nursing program. Do you value small class sizes? Is completing a program in under two years more important to you than academic rigor? Do you want to live on campus? Is there an extracurricular activity that the school must have? What are you willing to pay for tuition?
Check the accreditation of the schools you are interested in. Schools that have been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and Education must meet their standards for nursing education. Any school you attend should be accredited by at least one of these organizations and preferably by both.
Research the basic statistics of the schools that interest you, such as pass rates for NCLEX exams, average GPAs and graduation rates. You may find a college guide such as Peterson's or U.S. News and World Report useful. If the guide has rankings, however, take them with a grain of salt. They may heavily weigh a factor that doesn't matter to you or discount something you consider crucial.
Compare financial aid programs to see which colleges you can afford. If an expensive college offers little financial aid and no scholarships, it may not be worth pursuing. Conversely, even if a college is extremely expensive, you may still be able to attend if they have generous scholarships.
Visit the campuses of schools that interest you. Talk to current nursing students to find out if they feel the clinical rotation program is preparing them for a nursing career. Sit in on classes to see if the professors' teaching style suits you. If you intend to live on campus, visit the dorms to see if you would be happy living there.