Top U.S. Universities for Mental Health Nursing Graduate Programs

Leading U.S. graduate programs for Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing (PMHNP tracks). All hold CCNE accreditation. Tuition reflects 2023-2024 full-time rates; verify current costs.

1. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Program: MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Tuition: ~$49,000/year
• Highlights: Ivy League, integrated behavioral health, strong research funding, clinical partnerships with Penn Medicine

2. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Program: MSN - PMHNP; DNP - PMHNP
• Tuition: ~$51,000/year
• Highlights: #1 ranked nursing school (US News), interprofessional education, global mental health opportunities

3. University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing

• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Program: MS - PMHNP; PhD nursing science
• Tuition: ~$46,000/year (in-state lower)
• Highlights: Public health focus, UCSF Health clinical sites, health policy integration

4. New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing

• Location: New York, NY
• Program: MSN - PMHNP; Post-master's certificate
• Tuition: ~$52,000/year
• Highlights: Urban clinical diversity, NYU Langone affiliation, telehealth training

5. University of Michigan School of Nursing

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Program: MSN - PMHNP; DNP
• Tuition: ~$47,000/year (in-state lower)
• Highlights: Strong research, integrated health system, rural telepsychiatry initiatives

Additional Notable Programs

• Duke University: MSN PMHNP, veteran-focused tracks
• University of Washington: DNP PMHNP, rural/underserved emphasis
• Yale University: MSN PMHNP, psychotherapy emphasis
• Vanderbilt University: MSN PMHNP, informatics integration
• University of Maryland: MSN PMHNP, forensic mental health option

Selection Criteria

• CCNE accreditation (required for certification eligibility)
• Clinical placement quality & geographic diversity
• Faculty expertise & research alignment
• Certification exam pass rates (ANCC PMHNP-BC)
• Program format: on-campus, hybrid, online
• Cost & financial aid availability

Visit National League for Nursing and AACN for program directories and accreditation verification.