Masters in Nursing in USA is offered as an MSN, MS, or MN, taking 15 months to 3 years. Indian BSc Nursing graduates need a US RN license before most programs. For F-1 students, Yale and Johns Hopkins lead the open options. If you are reading in October 2026, every top school is accepting 2027 applications now.
- Yale's RN-Entry MSN and Pitt's on-site Neonatal NP MSN suit licensed Indian nurses on an F-1 visa.
- Johns Hopkins, Duke, Columbia and Yale run direct-entry master's for non-nursing graduates.
- Fees start at USD 36,576 (INR 34.75 Lakhs) a year at UW Tacoma. Duke's full MN costs USD 123,808 (INR 1.18 Crore).
- Michigan ranks 21st for nursing but does not sponsor F-1 visas for its MSN.
- Nursing is not a STEM field, so OPT lasts 12 months with no extension.
Latest Updates - October 2026
- Johns Hopkins early and Yale priority rounds for Fall 2027 close on 1 November 2026.
- Columbia MDE's final deadline for June 2027 is 16 November 2026; its priority round closed on 2 October 2026.
- DHS proposed a USD 70,000 (INR 66.51 Lakhs) school-paid OPT fee on 8 October 2026; comments close on 9 November 2026.
- UCSF has closed its nursing MS and paused MEPN, so it admits no master's students for 2027.
Check Out: Study in USA
Exchange rate: all USD figures convert at 1 USD = INR 95.01 (October 2026).
Table of Contents
- Top 10 Universities for Masters in Nursing in USA
- Why Study Masters in Nursing in USA
- Masters in Nursing in USA Program Types
- Masters in Nursing in USA Application Deadlines
- Masters in Nursing in USA Fees
- Masters in Nursing in USA Cost of Living
- Masters in Nursing in USA Eligibility
- NCLEX and RN License
- Scholarships for Masters in Nursing in USA
- Masters in Nursing in USA Visa and OPT
- Jobs and Salary After Masters in Nursing in USA
- FAQs
Top 10 Universities for Masters in Nursing in USA
Top universities for Masters in Nursing in USA include Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Columbia and the University of Washington. UCSF, ranked 27, is left out because it admits no master's students for 2027.
| University | Location | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | #1 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, Maryland | #3 |
| Duke University | Durham, North Carolina | #5 |
| Columbia University | New York City, New York | #8 |
| University of Washington | Seattle, Washington | #12 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | #14 |
| Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | #15 |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan | #21 |
| New York University | New York City, New York | #22 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | #28 |
Watch Out: Michigan does not sponsor F-1 visas for its MSN. UNC and NYU teach core MSN courses online, which limits F-1 use. UW trains nurse practitioners only through a DNP at Seattle. Its Master of Nursing runs at Tacoma.
Why Study Masters in Nursing in USA
Masters in Nursing in USA opens advanced practice roles, and BLS projects 41% growth in nurse practitioner jobs by 2035. Registered nurse jobs are projected to grow 6% over the same 2025 to 2035 period.
- Four of the world's top 10 nursing schools are American: Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke and Columbia.
- Direct-entry programs at Johns Hopkins and Duke turn a science degree into RN eligibility in four semesters.
Student Insights
According to student discussions on Reddit, an international ABSN graduate used up OPT before their green card arrived. They advise picking a direct-entry master's over a second bachelor's to keep OPT eligibility.
Masters in Nursing in USA Program Types for Indian Students
Masters in Nursing in USA comes in two types: direct-entry master's for non-nurses and post-licensure MSN for registered nurses. Indian BSc Nursing graduates fit the second type, but only after a US RN license. Johns Hopkins and Columbia bar direct-entry applicants who already hold a nursing degree.
| Your Background | Route | Matching Programs in the Top 10 |
|---|---|---|
| BSc Nursing with a US RN license | Post-licensure MSN on campus | Yale RN-Entry MSN, Pitt Neonatal NP MSN, Penn MSN, UW Tacoma MN |
| BSc Nursing without a US license | TruMerit review and NCLEX-RN first | Apply to the row above once licensed |
| Non-nursing bachelor's in a science field | Direct-entry master's leading to an RN license | Johns Hopkins MSN Entry into Nursing, Duke MN, Columbia MDE, Yale GEPN-MSN |
| Work-authorized RN already in the US | Online or hybrid MSN | Michigan MSN, UNC MSN, NYU MS (not for F-1 students) |
Pro Tip for Indian Students: Duke's MN lists "any major" but targets non-nursing graduates. Email Duke admissions before applying with a BSc Nursing.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, a nurse trained in India and Saudi Arabia first took a US health informatics master's. Only later did they learn a US RN license was needed, which took several NCLEX attempts.
Check Out: Nurse Practitioner Universities in USA
Masters in Nursing in USA Application Deadlines for 2027 Intake
Masters in Nursing in USA application deadlines for 2027 entry run from 1 November 2026 to 14 June 2027. In October 2026, the first priority rounds are two weeks away.
| University | Program | Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | MSN Entry into Nursing | Fall 2027 | Early 1 November 2026; priority 15 January 2027 |
| Yale University | GEPN-MSN and RN-Entry MSN | Fall 2027 | Priority 1 November 2026; regular 1 April 2027 |
| Columbia University | Master's Direct Entry (MDE) | June 2027 | Final 16 November 2026 |
| Duke University | Master of Nursing (MN) | Fall 2027 | Priority 1 December 2026, then rolling |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | MSN (NP tracks, distance-based) | Fall 2027 | 1 December 2026 |
| University of Michigan | MSN (not open to F-1 students) | Fall 2027 | Priority 1 December 2026; regular 1 March 2027 |
| New York University | MS (NP tracks, online core courses) | Summer and Fall 2027 | Summer 1 February 2027; Fall 14 June 2027 |
| University of Washington | Master of Nursing (Tacoma) | Autumn 2027 | Open until 14 March 2027 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Neonatal NP MSN | Fall 2027 | Not posted yet |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN | 2027 | Not posted yet |
Deadline Alert: Johns Hopkins issues the I-20 only after all prerequisites are done. F-1 applicants must send final prerequisite transcripts by May for a fall start.
Student Insights
According to student discussions on Reddit, one Columbia MDE applicant submitted a day before the deadline. They still heard back in the first wave, while others waited into March.
Masters in Nursing in USA Fees for Indian Students
Masters in Nursing in USA fees for Indian students start at USD 36,576 (INR 34.75 Lakhs) a year. Duke's full MN costs USD 123,808 (INR 1.18 Crore), the highest program total here. Schools quote fees per credit, term, year or program, so each row names its basis.
| University | Program | Program Fees (Annual/Total) (USD) | Program Fees (Annual/Total) (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | USD 85,920 (Total tuition, 12 course units, 2026-27) | INR 81.63 Lakhs (Total) |
| Johns Hopkins University | MSN Entry into Nursing | USD 84,000 (Annual, 2026-27) | INR 79.81 Lakhs (Annual) |
| Duke University | Master of Nursing (MN) | USD 123,808 (Total, 2026-27 estimate) | INR 1.18 Crore (Total) |
| Columbia University | Master's Direct Entry (MDE) | USD 106,222 (Annual, first three terms, 2026-27) | INR 1.01 Crore (Annual) |
| University of Washington | Master of Nursing (Tacoma campus) | USD 36,576 (Annual, 2026-27) | INR 34.75 Lakhs (Annual) |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (distance-based) | USD 2,067.84 per credit (2026-27) | INR 1.96 Lakhs per credit |
| Yale University | Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | USD 54,336 (Annual, 2026-27) | INR 51.62 Lakhs (Annual) |
| University of Michigan | Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), not open to F-1 students | USD 32,808 per term (Fall 2026) | INR 31.17 Lakhs per term |
| New York University | MS Family Nurse Practitioner | 2026-27 rate not listed | 2026-27 rate not listed |
| University of Pittsburgh | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN | USD 40,686 (Annual, two terms, 2026-27) | INR 38.66 Lakhs (Annual) |
Note: As of October 2026, all rates above are for 2026-27. Johns Hopkins still lists its rate as pending board approval. Yale's GEPN first year costs USD 75,888 (INR 72.10 Lakhs) before the two MSN years.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, a poster's international friend won Johns Hopkins' USD 45,000 (INR 42.75 Lakhs) Dean's Scholarship. The friend still owes USD 67,000 (INR 63.66 Lakhs) in tuition through private loans. Those loans reportedly charge 11% to 16% interest.
Check Out: Education Loans for USA
Masters in Nursing in USA Cost of Living by University
Cost of living for Masters in Nursing in USA tops out at USD 46,253 (INR 43.94 Lakhs) in Baltimore. Pitt lists the lowest figure, USD 21,712 (INR 20.63 Lakhs) for two terms. These school estimates cover housing, food, transport and personal costs, but not tuition or flights. Your I-20 needs proof of funds for one full year of tuition and living costs.
| University | City | Living Cost (USD) | Living Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore | USD 46,253 (12 months, 2026-27) | INR 43.94 Lakhs |
| New York University | New York City | USD 42,724 (Academic year, 2026-27) | INR 40.59 Lakhs |
| Columbia University | New York City | USD 39,864 (12 months, 2026-27) | INR 37.87 Lakhs |
| Duke University | Durham | USD 34,011 (Three terms, 2025-26) | INR 32.31 Lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | USD 33,166 (Fall and spring, 2026-27) | INR 31.51 Lakhs |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | USD 31,248 (Fall and winter, 2026-27) | INR 29.69 Lakhs |
| Yale University | New Haven | USD 29,167 (MSN year, 2026-27) | INR 27.71 Lakhs |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | USD 29,118 (Academic year, 2026-27) | INR 27.67 Lakhs |
| University of Washington | Tacoma | USD 24,702 (9 months, 2024-25) | INR 23.47 Lakhs |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | USD 21,712 (Two terms, 2026-27) | INR 20.63 Lakhs |
Watch Out: UW Tacoma's estimate dates from 2024-25, and Duke's from 2025-26. Budget above both figures for 2027.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, a nurse anesthesia student in New York City reports USD 1,800 (INR 1.71 Lakhs) monthly rent.
Check Out: Cost of Living in USA
Masters in Nursing in USA Eligibility and Requirements
Masters in Nursing in USA eligibility starts with a bachelor's degree and a 3.0 GPA at most top schools.
- Post-licensure MSN programs need a BSN with a 3.0 GPA at Penn, Michigan and NYU.
- UNC and UW Tacoma also want an ACEN or CCNE accredited BSN, which Indian degrees rarely hold.
- Direct-entry programs need a non-nursing bachelor's and science prerequisites passed with a B- or better.
- Columbia sets no minimum GPA, but its admitted average was 3.6 for 2025-26.
- UNC asks for one year of paid RN work, and NYU asks the same for most NP tracks.
- GRE is not required at Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke, UNC and Michigan.
- Yale asks for the GRE only if your GPA is below 3.0.
- Most schools want TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0.
- TOEFL has used a 1 to 6 band scale since 21 January 2026; Columbia and Yale ask for 5.0.
- Yale wants an IELTS speaking score of 7.5, while UNC Nursing lists IELTS 8.
- International applicants need a course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE or TruMerit.
- Keep transcripts, resume, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, test scores, passport and bank proof ready.
Note: In October 2026, book TOEFL or IELTS this week if you target the 1 November 2026 rounds.
Student Insights
According to student discussions on Reddit, any bachelor's major can lead into an entry-level nursing master's once prerequisites are done. The same commenter warns that many public nursing programs turn away international applicants.
Check Out: TOEFL Cutoff for US Universities
NCLEX and RN License Requirements for Masters in Nursing in USA
Indian nurses need TruMerit review, a passed NCLEX-RN and a state RN license before most post-licensure MSN programs. TruMerit is the new name of CGFNS International, announced in February 2025.
- Penn reviews MSN files only after you pass the CGFNS Qualifying Exam.
- Yale requires foreign nursing graduates to pass both the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and the NCLEX-RN.
- Pennsylvania requires TruMerit Certification before a foreign graduate sits the NCLEX-RN there.
- NCLEX-RN registration costs USD 200 (INR 0.19 Lakhs) for US licensure.
- Testing outside the US adds USD 150 (INR 0.14 Lakhs) as an international scheduling fee.
- NCLEX centers listed by NCSBN include New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
| University | State License Needed | When |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania RN license | Before clinical rotations |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania or clinical-state RN license | On admission |
| Yale University | Connecticut RN license | By 1 November of the first term |
| New York University | New York RN license | Before coursework begins |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | North Carolina or compact-state license | Summer before enrollment |
| University of Washington (Tacoma) | Washington RN license | At application |
Pro Tip for Indian Students: Register for the NCLEX through the board of the state where your target school sits. That license then works for its clinicals.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, the husband of an India-trained nurse paid for a TEC evaluation for a New York license. Replies citing NYSED said New York takes CGFNS verification or a school-sent Form 2F instead.
Scholarships for Masters in Nursing in USA for Indian Students
Scholarships for Masters in Nursing in USA for Indian students include Johns Hopkins awards, Yale aid and JN Tata loans. Penn, Duke, Columbia and NYU give no school scholarships to international nursing students.
| Scholarship | Coverage | Status for 2027 Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Merit Scholarship | USD 5,000 (INR 4.75 Lakhs) to full tuition | Automatic review on admission |
| Johns Hopkins Dean's Scholarship | USD 45,000 (INR 42.75 Lakhs) for the program | Automatic review on admission |
| Yale School of Nursing Scholarships | Merit and need-based; 85% or more of students receive aid | No separate application |
| JN Tata Endowment | Loan scholarship for postgraduate study abroad | 2026 window ran from 5 January to 29 March 2026; next round due January 2027 |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarship | Interest-free loan up to INR 10 Lakhs for the top 3; INR 5 Lakhs for others | 2026 round closed on 30 April 2026 |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | 50% grant and 50% loan for development-related study | Applications from January to 31 March 2027 |
Watch Out: Fulbright-Nehru Master's covers public health, not nursing. Inlaks excludes medicine, related therapies and public health.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, an international admit to Columbia's MDE and Duke's MN found no school aid at either. They plan to fund the degree fully through private loans.
Check Out: Scholarships to Study in USA
Masters in Nursing in USA Visa, OPT and Green Card Route
Masters in Nursing in USA students study on an F-1 visa, then get 12 months of OPT. Nursing is not on the DHS STEM list, so the 24-month STEM extension does not apply.
- F-1 costs include the USD 185 (INR 0.18 Lakhs) visa fee and USD 350 (INR 0.33 Lakhs) SEVIS fee.
- Some consulates now also collect a USD 250 (INR 0.24 Lakhs) visa integrity fee at issuance.
- Duke caps F-1 students at 3 online credits a semester, which rules out online MSN tracks.
- USCIS says most registered nurse jobs do not qualify for the H-1B visa.
- Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and nurse anesthetist roles do count as H-1B specialty occupations.
- Hospitals can sponsor nurses for an EB-3 green card under Schedule A.
- The October 2026 Visa Bulletin lists the EB-3 India final action date as 1 January 2014.
Note: With a 12-year EB-3 backlog for India, plan on OPT and an advanced practice H-1B first.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, a poster in an Indian visa forum notes that Schedule A lets employers skip PERM. They add that it does not shorten the India EB-3 queue, which they put near 12 years.
Check Out: OPT for F-1 Students
Jobs and Salary After Masters in Nursing in USA
Jobs after Masters in Nursing in USA include nurse practitioner, nurse midwife and health services manager roles. A direct-entry master's leads first to registered nurse jobs after the NCLEX-RN.
| Job Role | Typical Qualification | Median Pay, May 2025 (USD) | Median Pay (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | RN license after a BSN or direct-entry master's | USD 97,550 | INR 92.68 Lakhs |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | Degree plus clinical or management experience | USD 123,860 | INR 1.18 Crore |
| Nurse Practitioner | MSN or DNP plus national certification | USD 132,300 | INR 1.26 Crore |
| Nurse Midwife | MSN plus certification | USD 134,040 | INR 1.27 Crore |
| Nurse Anesthetist | Doctorate in nurse anesthesia | USD 236,590 | INR 2.25 Crore |
Note: Nurse anesthetist roles now need a doctorate, so an MSN alone will not qualify.
Student Insights
According to Reddit, an AIIMS nursing officer who cleared the NCLEX reports landing a sponsored US hospital job.
Check Out: Job Opportunities in USA
Licensed nurses should target Yale or Pitt; non-nursing science graduates should target Johns Hopkins, Duke or Columbia.
- Submit Johns Hopkins and Yale files by 1 November 2026 for the early and priority rounds.
- Apply to Columbia's MDE by 16 November 2026 for June 2027 entry.
- Send Duke's MN application by 1 December 2026 for priority review.
- Book the NCLEX-RN at an Indian center once your TruMerit review clears.
- Budget USD 21,712 to USD 46,253 (INR 20.63 to 43.94 Lakhs) a year for living costs.
FAQs
Ques. Can Indian BSc Nursing graduates do a Masters in Nursing in USA?
Ans. Yes, but most need a US RN license first. Direct-entry programs at Johns Hopkins and Columbia bar applicants who already hold a nursing degree. So the route is a post-licensure MSN. Start with a TruMerit credential review, then pass the NCLEX-RN. Next, get the state license your school names. Yale needs a Connecticut license by 1 November of the first term. Pitt expects a Pennsylvania license on admission. Once licensed, Yale's RN-Entry MSN and Pitt's Neonatal NP MSN both accept F-1 students.
Ques. What is the total cost of Masters in Nursing in USA for Indian students?
Ans. Tuition starts at USD 36,576 (INR 34.75 Lakhs) a year at UW Tacoma. Johns Hopkins charges USD 84,000 (INR 79.81 Lakhs) a year for its MSN Entry into Nursing. Duke's full MN costs USD 123,808 (INR 1.18 Crore). Living costs add USD 21,712 to USD 46,253 (INR 20.63 to 43.94 Lakhs) a year by school. Your I-20 needs bank proof covering one full year of tuition and living costs.
Ques. Is Masters in Nursing in USA a STEM course for OPT?
Ans. No. Nursing codes are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. So nursing graduates get 12 months of OPT, not the 36 months STEM graduates can reach. You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. Plan your H-1B or green card filing within those 12 months. Advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner qualify as H-1B specialty occupations. Most registered nurse jobs do not.
Ques. Can I get a green card after Masters in Nursing in USA?
Ans. Yes, through employer sponsorship, but the wait is long for Indians. Nurses fall under Schedule A, so hospitals can file an EB-3 petition without PERM labor certification. However, the October 2026 Visa Bulletin lists the EB-3 India final action date as 1 January 2014. That means a backlog of more than 12 years. So most Indian graduates work on OPT and then an H-1B while they wait.
Ques. Is GRE or IELTS required for Masters in Nursing in USA?
Ans. GRE is not required at Penn, Johns Hopkins, Duke, UNC and Michigan. Yale asks for it only if your GPA is below 3.0. An English test is required at all top schools. Most ask for TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0. Columbia also accepts Duolingo 130, and Pitt accepts Duolingo 125. TOEFL now uses a 1 to 6 scale, where Columbia and Yale want 5.0.
Ques. Can a BSc Nursing graduate from a Tier-2 city college get into a top US nursing school?
Ans. Yes, your college's city does not decide admission. What matters is your GPA, license and credential report. Schools want a 3.0 GPA on the US scale after a WES, ECE or TruMerit evaluation. However, UNC and UW Tacoma need an ACEN or CCNE accredited BSN, which Indian colleges rarely hold. So target Yale, Pitt or Penn, which accept foreign-trained nurses with US licenses.
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