100 Best colleges for Critical Care Nursing in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Critical Care Nursing. A graph of 27.4M citations received by 672K academic papers made by 434 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Critical Care Nursing

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

2. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Critical Care Nursing

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

3. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Critical Care Nursing

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

4. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Critical Care Nursing

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $11,577
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $1,900

5. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Critical Care Nursing

#6 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Critical Care Nursing

#7 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

7. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Critical Care Nursing

#8 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

8. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Critical Care Nursing

#9 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

9. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Critical Care Nursing

#10 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

10. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Critical Care Nursing

#11 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

11. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Critical Care Nursing

#12 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 90%

12. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Critical Care Nursing

#13 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

13. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Critical Care Nursing

#14 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

14. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Critical Care Nursing

#16 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

15. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Critical Care Nursing

#17 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

16. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Critical Care Nursing

#18 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,234
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1963

17. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Critical Care Nursing

#19 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

18. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Critical Care Nursing

#20 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

19. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Texas | Dallas

For Critical Care Nursing

#21 in North America

#23 in the World

Enrollment: 2,501
Male:Female: 44:56
Founded: 1943

20. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Critical Care Nursing

#23 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

21. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Critical Care Nursing

#24 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

22. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Critical Care Nursing

#25 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

23. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Critical Care Nursing

#26 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

24. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Critical Care Nursing

#27 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

25. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Critical Care Nursing

#28 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

26. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Critical Care Nursing

#29 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

27. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Critical Care Nursing

#30 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

28. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Critical Care Nursing

#31 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,667
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

29. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Critical Care Nursing

#32 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

30. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Critical Care Nursing

#34 in North America

#39 in the World

Enrollment: 355
Male:Female: 21:79
Founded: 1941

31. Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon | Portland

For Critical Care Nursing

#35 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,877
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1887

32. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Critical Care Nursing

#36 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

33. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Critical Care Nursing

#37 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

34. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Critical Care Nursing

#38 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

35. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Critical Care Nursing

#39 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

36. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Critical Care Nursing

#40 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

37. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Critical Care Nursing

#41 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

38. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Critical Care Nursing

#42 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

39. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Critical Care Nursing

#43 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

40. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Critical Care Nursing

#45 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

41. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Critical Care Nursing

#47 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

42. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Critical Care Nursing

#48 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

43. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Critical Care Nursing

#49 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

44. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Critical Care Nursing

#50 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

45. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Critical Care Nursing

#51 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

46. Florida College

Florida | Temple Terrace

For Critical Care Nursing

#52 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 19
Net Price: $23,885

47. Medical University of South Carolina

South Carolina | Charleston

For Critical Care Nursing

#53 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 3,117
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1824

48. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Critical Care Nursing

#54 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

49. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Critical Care Nursing

#56 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

50. Medical College of Wisconsin

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Critical Care Nursing

#57 in North America

#77 in the World

Enrollment: 1,661
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1893

51. Wake Forest University

North Carolina | Winston-Salem

For Critical Care Nursing

#59 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,790

52. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Critical Care Nursing

#60 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

53. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Critical Care Nursing

#61 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

54. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Texas | San Antonio

For Critical Care Nursing

#62 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 3,640
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1959

55. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Critical Care Nursing

#63 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

56. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Critical Care Nursing

#64 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,967

57. University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Tennessee | Memphis

For Critical Care Nursing

#66 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 3,121
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1911

58. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Critical Care Nursing

#67 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

59. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Critical Care Nursing

#69 in North America

#103 in the World

Enrollment: 5,048
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

60. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia | Richmond

For Critical Care Nursing

#70 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 100%

61. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Critical Care Nursing

#71 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

62. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Critical Care Nursing

#72 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,394
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1962

63. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Critical Care Nursing

#73 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

64. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Critical Care Nursing

#74 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

65. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Critical Care Nursing

#75 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

66. Thomas Jefferson University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Critical Care Nursing

#76 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $29,097

67. University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska | Omaha

For Critical Care Nursing

#77 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 3,786
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1869

68. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Critical Care Nursing

#78 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

69. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Arkansas | Little Rock

For Critical Care Nursing

#79 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 3,275
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1879

70. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Critical Care Nursing

#81 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $30,911

71. University of Texas Medical Branch

Texas | Galveston

For Critical Care Nursing

#83 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 3,315
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1891

72. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Critical Care Nursing

#84 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

73. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Critical Care Nursing

#85 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

74. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Critical Care Nursing

#86 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 100%

75. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Critical Care Nursing

#87 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,631

76. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Critical Care Nursing

#88 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

77. Augusta University

Georgia | Augusta

For Critical Care Nursing

#89 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

78. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Critical Care Nursing

#90 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

79. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Critical Care Nursing

#91 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

80. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Critical Care Nursing

#92 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

81. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Pennsylvania | Hershey

For Critical Care Nursing

#93 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

82. New York Medical College

New York State | Valhalla

For Critical Care Nursing

#94 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,470
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1860

83. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Critical Care Nursing

#95 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

84. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Critical Care Nursing

#96 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

85. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Missouri | Kansas

For Critical Care Nursing

#97 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

86. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Critical Care Nursing

#98 in North America

#198 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

87. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Maryland | Bethesda

For Critical Care Nursing

#99 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 1972

88. University of Mississippi Medical Center

Mississippi | Jackson

For Critical Care Nursing

#100 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Founded: 1955

89. University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma State | Oklahoma City

For Critical Care Nursing

#101 in North America

#207 in the World

Enrollment: 3,563
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1900

90. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas | Lubbock

For Critical Care Nursing

#102 in North America

#210 in the World

Enrollment: 4,890
Male:Female: 24:76
Founded: 1969

91. Seattle University

Washington | Seattle

For Critical Care Nursing

#104 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $37,103

92. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Critical Care Nursing

#105 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,342

93. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Critical Care Nursing

#106 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

94. Albany Medical College

New York State | Albany

For Critical Care Nursing

#107 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 834
Male:Female: 38:62
Founded: 1839

95. Marymount University

Virginia | Arlington

For Critical Care Nursing

#108 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $28,147
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $28,003

96. SUNY Downstate Medical Center

New York State | New York City

For Critical Care Nursing

#109 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,204
Male:Female: 29:71
Founded: 1860

97. Rush University

Illinois | Chicago

For Critical Care Nursing

#110 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 2,782
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1972

98. Loma Linda University

California | Loma Linda

For Critical Care Nursing

#111 in North America

#230 in the World

Enrollment: 4,202
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1905

99. Eastern Virginia Medical School

Virginia | Norfolk

For Critical Care Nursing

#112 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,235
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1973

100. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Critical Care Nursing

#113 in North America

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $46,645

The best cities to study Critical Care Nursing in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Baltimore, San Francisco, and Rochester.