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Best Nursing Schools in Raleigh: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 29, 2026

Compare 11 Raleigh nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data.

Why Study Nursing in Raleigh?

Raleigh is a growing healthcare market with strong demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 11 institutions offering nursing programs at various levels, from affordable ADN degrees to doctoral programs.

Top University Nursing Programs

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill) — 18.7% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $8,989/year. Nursing graduates earn $102,075/year (First Professional Degree).

East Carolina University (Greenville) — 90.1% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $7,361/year. Nursing graduates earn $106,444/year (Doctoral Degree).

Duke University (Durham) — 6.8% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $65,805/year. Nursing graduates earn $124,154/year (Graduate Certificate).

Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville) — 79.9% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $3,969/year. Nursing graduates earn $67,668/year (Bachelor's Degree).

North Carolina Central University (Durham) — 90.5% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $6,542/year. Nursing graduates earn $68,978/year (Bachelor's Degree).

Methodist University (Fayetteville) — 75.2% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $39,664/year. Nursing graduates earn $61,271/year (Bachelor's Degree).

Community College & Affordable Nursing Programs

Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh): $2,336/year, nursing graduates earn $58,789/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College (Fayetteville): $2,628/year, nursing graduates earn $61,080/year
Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville): $3,969/year, nursing graduates earn $67,668/year
Durham Technical Community College (Durham): $1,986/year, nursing graduates earn $64,573/year
Wayne Community College (Goldsboro): $2,524/year, nursing graduates earn $54,125/year

How to Choose

Consider your budget, career goals, and timeline. Community college ADN programs offer the fastest and cheapest path to an RN license. University BSN and graduate programs lead to higher earnings and more career options. Many nurses start with an ADN and bridge to BSN while working.

Financial Aid

Check your state's grant programs, federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year), and HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarships for nursing-specific aid. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees.

Next Steps

Compare Raleigh nursing programs on GradeToGrad.