The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, an internationally recognized leader in nursing research and scholarship, continues to reach new heights and expand its research portfolio. The UAB School of Nursing now ranks No. 11 overall and No. 5 among public schools of nursing in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding rankings for fiscal year 2020, as published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

This marks a four-spot climb from its FY2019 rank of No. 15, reflecting the School’s dedication to an ever-growing research portfolio, with more than a $1 million increase in NIH funding to $5.9 million in NIH research funding for fiscal year 2020, and an annual total of $12.7 million. The latter figure recognizes the funding contributions from all missions—research, teaching, practice and scholarship.

“In recent years, we have been able to continually grow and diversify our research portfolio through strategic recruitment, faculty development, and a dedication to mentorship,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of all of the UABSON faculty, staff and students, the significant work, focus and output of our Office of Research and Scholarship, and of being at UAB and in the great company of interprofessional research colleagues and scientists.”

The UAB School of Nursing has remained in the Top 15 for NIH funding among Schools of Nursing since 2017, and Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship Marie Bakitas, DNSc, CRNP, NP-C, AOCN, ACHPN, FAAN, aims to continue this upward progress.

“When the UAB School of Nursing reached the Top 20 for NIH funding among U.S. Schools of Nursing in 2017, we hit a significant milestone as a School and accomplished a strategic goal,” said Bakitas. “Now that we have reached No. 11, we can continue to work toward our next strategic goal—reaching the Top 10.”

School in top 10 nationally

By Jennifer Lollar

U.S. News & World Report, in its survey of the Best Graduate Nursing Schools for 2021, has ranked the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing #7 in the nation among public schools of nursing in academic health systems for master’s degrees and #10 for doctor of nursing practice degrees. Three graduate nursing specialties also are highly ranked.

The School’s Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs continue to be highly ranked among all nursing schools, public and private, in the nation. Overall the MSN program is 15th and the DNP program is 19th. Schools of nursing master’s and doctoral programs are ranked yearly.

Among its specialties, the Master’s in Nursing Administration is #1 in the nation among public schools of nursing in academic health systems and #3 overall, the Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner is #4 in the nation among public schools of nursing in academic health systems and #6 overall, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner is #2 in the nation among public schools of nursing in academic health systems, and #5 overall. U.S News also ranks graduate nursing specialties annually.

UAB School of Nursing Dean and Fay B. Ireland Chair Doreen Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN, said achieving top tier national rankings yearly across so many of the School’s programs and specialties reflects the quality of all of the undergraduate and graduate programs offered.

“We are honored our School and programs continue to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in our field,” she said. “The sustained impact on nursing and health care of all of our programs and specialties across our education, research and practice missions is a tribute to the commitment to excellence by our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters.”

She added that the continued recognition by U.S. News is further testament to the School’s position as a leader in preparing the nursing workforce to face the increased challenges and demands in health care, now and in the future.

“Our students are highly talented, ambitious and dedicated. Our faculty, staff and alumni are vested in mentoring them to become compassionate nursing leaders committed to improving the health and quality of care for people worldwide. I could not be prouder that they all continue to keep their focus on sustained excellence in all that they do.”

Harper said that while rankings are valuable, it is important not to lose sight of the big picture surrounding nursing education, practice and research, especially as this unprecedented historic event unfolds around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We must remember that excellence in nursing is also is measured by the care and compassion we are providing people during this uncharted time in health care and every day,” she said.

“Nurses are not only playing a vital leadership role across specialties during the coronavirus pandemic, they are health care leaders daily in caring for people with increasing rates of chronic diseases, especially those in rural and underserved areas; in discovering and translating new, cost-effective care models; and educating and developing nurse leaders forging creative change and advancing health locally and globally to improve quality of life for all people.”

MSN, DNP programs nationally ranked

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of nurses and health care workers. In frontline and leadership roles, nurses continue to care for their communities in the face of the pandemic providing direct care, vaccinations and adapting systems to meet health care needs.

In the midst of the pandemic, the UAB School of Nursing has once again risen in the rankings for its graduate programs. In the 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the UAB School of Nursing’s MSN program is ranked 13, up from 15 in 2021. The DNP program is ranked 18 up from 19 in 2021.

“In a time when nurses and nursing are more important than ever, the UAB School of Nursing continues to strive to produce the next generation of nurse leaders and to offer opportunities for career advancement and excellence in nursing,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN. “While our actions, and not rankings, are the true basis for our impact and influence on our community and community health, these rankings give us a chance to reflect on the great work we accomplished in a year full of challenges.”

Four of the School’s specialties in the MSN and DNP programs also are ranked. Specialty rankings are based upon reputational assessments by nursing school deans and deans of graduate studies. Six of the School’s programs were ranked in the top 20 and four in the top 10 rankings for USNWR:

• Masters in Nursing Administration remains at No. 6
• Masters Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner rose to No. 6
• Masters Family Nurse Practitioner is No. 10
• Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner rose to No. 4.

This marks the second time this year for a rise in rankings for UAB School of Nursing. In February, the School ranked No. 11 overall and No. 5 among public schools of nursing in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding rankings for fiscal year 2020, as published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. This marks a four-spot climb from its FY2019 rank of No. 15, reflecting the School’s dedication to an ever-growing research portfolio, with more than a $1 million increase in NIH funding to $5.9 million in NIH research funding for fiscal year 2020, and an annual total of $12.7 million. The latter figure recognizes the funding contributions from all missions—research, teaching, practice and scholarship.

“These rankings are just one reflection of the dedication of UAB School of Nursing faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters,” said UAB School of Nursing Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN. “2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic brought countless challenges to nursing education, practice and research, as well as the profession as a whole, but the UAB School of Nursing community remained committed to continuous improvement and to preparing the nurses who will lead  innovative care and teams.”

While rankings are a helpful tool with which to monitor progress, Harper added that it remains even more important to focus on the School’s mission to shape patient-centered health care for all persons by preparing recognized nurse leaders who excel across the care spectrum.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated important conversations regarding access to care, health equity and other social determinants of health. As we look forward, with hope, to the promise of vaccinations and a potential light at the end of the tunnel, we must also bring with us all of the lessons we have learned over the last year,” Harper said. “As a School of Nursing, we remain dedicated to educating innovative leaders who transform health and health care and who create a culture of health in our communities and beyond.”

2020 Rankings: The 100 Best Nursing Schools in the United States

For our 2020 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on over 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:

The institution’s academic prestige and perceived value
The breadth and depth of nursing programs offered
Student success, particularly on the NCLEX licensure examination
We then combined these assessments into an overall score and ranked the schools accordingly. For a detailed description of our assessment methodology and dimension weights, please see here.

FIND A SCHOOL

207700.jpg#1: Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is ranked among the top three MSN, DNP, and online nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. The school has also earned three consecutive NLN Center of Excellence designations for enhancing student learning and professional development. Johns Hopkins educates approximately 1,200 diverse nursing students, including 500 fulltime and 700 parttime students. The university recently transitioned from a prelicensure BSN program to a direct entry MSN program. The first three graduating classes of the direct entry MSN have scored a stellar 94% NCLEX pass rate. Johns Hopkins offers two other MSN tracks, a DNP with seven advanced practice specializations, and a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in nursing.

292000.jpg#2: Duke University
The National League for Nursing has designated the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) a Center of Excellence on five separate occasions. The school consistently ranks among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s top MSN and DNP programs. Indeed, DUSON was the first school in North Carolina to offer the doctor of nursing practice degree. Duke also graduates 120-150 students each year from its accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program. These students have passed the NCLEX exam at a stellar 98% first-attempt rate over the past decade.

278500.jpg#3: New York University
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner programs at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing among the top ten nationally. The college is also sixth nationally in NIH nursing research funds awarded over the past decade, and NYU Meyers has twice earned a Center of Excellence designation from the National League for Nursing. In its flagship BSN program, the college graduates more than 400 students each year who have passed the NCLEX exam at an 87% first-try rate over the past decade. NYU Meyers also offers an MSN program with nine concentration options, post-master’s advanced certificates in eleven fields, a DNP degree with three entry paths, and a PhD in nursing research and theory development.

131900.png#4: University of California, San Francisco
Over the past decade, the UCSF School of Nursing has received more research funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other nursing school. The university’s master of science in nursing program offers more than a dozen tracks, including several clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner roles. In addition, UCSF conducts a master’s entry program in nursing (MEPN) which prepares non-nurses for initial licensure. MEPN graduates have achieved an outstanding 94% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination over the past decade. The university also offers an online master of science in healthcare administration and interprofessional leadership (MS-HAIL), a doctor of nursing practice degree, and PhD tracks in both nursing and sociology.

337800.png#5: University of Pennsylvania
Penn Nursing’s MSN degree is consistently ranked one of the top programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. So too are five of its nurse practitioner specialty tracks in their respective categories. In addition, Penn Nursing has received the most NIH research funding of any nursing school in the country for three consecutive years, including more than $11 million in 2019. Graduates of Penn’s highly selective prelicensure BSN program have averaged a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the doctoral level, the university offers a post-baccalaureate DNP in nurse anesthesia, two post-master’s DNP tracks, and a PhD program that broke ground as the first nursing doctorate in the Ivy League.

379800.png#6: University of Washington
The University of Washington School of Nursing has been a top-rated nursing school by U.S. News & World Report for twenty years. UW offers the full breadth of nursing degrees: traditional and accelerated BSN programs, an MS in clinical informatics and patient-centered technologies, a PhD in nursing science, and 11 DNP tracks. Students can also pursue graduate certificates in areas ranging from palliative care to nurse-midwifery. UW’s graduating BSN class of 130-150 students annually has passed the NCLEX exam at a strong 93% first-try rate over the past decade.

210400.jpg#7: University of Maryland
The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) currently enrolls nearly 2,000 nursing students. The university has received a top-ten ranking from U.S. News & World Report in at least ten different nursing specialty areas. UMSON also places #13 in NIH nursing research funding over the past decade. The school graduates approximately 300 prelicensure BSN students and another 100 direct entry MSN students annually. These individuals have passed the NCLEX exam at an impressive 90% first-attempt rate over the past decade. UMSON has 154 faculty members (136 of whom are fulltime), engages with more than 700 faculty associates and clinical preceptors, and offers students access to four organized research centers.

156400.gif#8: Emory University
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is home to approximately 600 students enrolled in BSN, ABSN, MSN, PhD, and DNP programs. The university is consistently ranked among the top ten graduate nursing schools by U.S. News & World Report, including a number of highly rated specialty programs. At the undergraduate level, Emory produces approximately 200 BSN graduates annually who have passed the NCLEX-RN examination at a 90% rate since 2008. The nursing school has an impressive 82% employment rate immediately after graduation, and students have landed positions at more than 500 diverse clinical sites nationwide.

201400.png#9: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
The LSU Health School of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence for promoting the pedagogical expertise of faculty. Undergraduate students can select from a traditional four-year BSN, an RN-to-BSN degree completion program, and the Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) pathway. The CARE BSN is designed for individuals who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The university’s prelicensure BSN students have averaged a 97% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade; indeed, the pass rate consistently exceeded 95% in every single year. At the graduate level, LSU Health offers two MSN specializations (clinical nurse leader, nurse educator), an impressive 11 distinct DNP concentrations, and the unique Doctor of Nursing Science degree program.

297400.png#10: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The UNC School of Nursing was the first in the state to offer a four-year BSN, an MSN degree, a nurse practitioner program, and a doctor of philosophy in nursing. The school, which also offers RN-to-BSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate programs, consistently ranks among the top ten in the nation on two separate U.S. News & World Report lists (best MSN programs, best DNP programs). The traditional BSN program graduates a class of approximately 175 students annually, who have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at a stellar 96% first-try rate over the past decade.

FIND A SCHOOL

980000.jpg#11: Rush University
Since its inception, well over 7,000 baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral students have graduated from Rush University’s College of Nursing. The college currently maintains a graduate enrollment of approximately 1,000 students, of whom 350 are studying fulltime. Rush’s direct entry MSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at an exemplary rate of 97% over the past decade. The Rush University Medical Center provides a rich environment where students of nursing, medicine, and allied health sciences learn in an interdisciplinary and dynamic setting.

337900.png#12: University of Pittsburgh
Pitt Nursing earns high marks from U.S. News & World Report for both its master’s and doctoral programs. Pitt is also consistently ranked among the top five nursing schools nationwide in research funding from the National Institutes of Health. In addition to its graduate offerings, the school teaches traditional and accelerated bachelor’s degree programs, and its BSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a 90% first-try rate over the past decade. Pitt Nursing has approximately 100 fulltime faculty, 98% of whom hold doctoral degrees. The School of Nursing was recently ranked among the top twenty globally by QS World University Rankings.

338800.png#13: Villanova University
Drawing on its Catholic beliefs and values, Villanova University has provided nursing education for over sixty years. The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing typically has more than 700 students enrolled in its undergraduate program. These BSN graduates have exceeded a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate for four consecutive years. Another 300 students are enrolled across Villanova’s MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Designated a Center of Excellence by the NLN numerous times, the college boasts 7,000 alumni, 55% of whom live in the tristate area. Over 80% of the college’s fulltime and parttime faculty hold doctoral degrees.

232500.png#14: University of Michigan
The University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) offers the #8 MSN program and the #14 DNP program in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. The school’s nursing administration, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and nursing informatics specialties are all ranked in the top ten nationally. At the undergraduate level, BSN students have achieved strong NCLEX pass rates, as high as 97% in some recent quarters. In addition to a wide range of nursing courses, the school provides innovative opportunities like its Global Health Concentration. Students benefit from state-of-the-art clinical simulation labs and partnerships with some of the best preceptors in the country.

270700.jpg#15: Columbia University
As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia Nursing enjoys a unique collaboration with the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the College of Dental Medicine. In fact, Columbia is one of eight nursing schools in the nation associated with a major academic medical center. Since its establishment in 1892, Columbia Nursing has graduated approximately 12,000 nurses. The school has a history of innovation: it launched the first master’s degree in clinical nursing in 1956, and it recently introduced a fifteen-month direct-entry MSN program for non-nurse college graduates. Columbia Nursing is proud to boast 38% ethnic diversity.

495100.png#16: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is located in the renowned Texas Medical Center. The School of Nursing offers bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD), and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees. UTHealth currently enrolls more than 1,000 nursing students, and it confers over 400 undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees annually. BSN students have earned a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) pass rate of 96% for the past decade.

325800.png#17: Duquesne University
The School of Nursing at Duquesne University is recognized for creating Pennsylvania’s first BSN program in 1937 and the nation’s first online nursing PhD program in 1997. Duquesne has been designated an NLN Center of Excellence four consecutive times since 2008. In addition to its flagship BSN program, the university offers undergraduates an innovative five-year dual degree program in biomedical engineering and nursing. Duquesne’s BSN graduates have maintained a 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a 94.4% pass rate for the most recent graduating cohort. The School of Nursing also provides graduate programs at the master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctoral levels, including both DNP and PhD options.

142600.jpg#18: Yale University
One of the first university schools to prepare nurses under an educational rather than apprenticeship program, Yale School of Nursing has educated health professionals since 1923. YSN maintains a consistently stellar NCLEX pass rate of 94-98% in its entry-level MSN program, and the school’s MSN and DNP offerings are both highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The university’s 400 nursing students interact with over 100 faculty members and 1,000+ preceptors focused solely on graduate nursing education. Yale is also one of the top recipients of nursing research funding from the National Institutes of Health, averaging $3.2 million annually in grants over the past decade.

1067400.png#19: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech’s School of Nursing holds the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence designation for enhancing student learning and professional development. The university offers four undergraduate pathways: traditional, second degree, veteran-to-BSN, and a degree completion program for existing registered nurses. The school graduates approximately 350 prelicensure BSN students annually, and they have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at rates as high as 97% in recent years. Graduate offerings include nine MSN specializations, eight post-master’s programs, graduate certificates in global health and rural community health, and a DNP program designed for working professionals.

212800.png#20: Boston College
The William F. Connell School of Nursing is geared towards global diversity and social justice. The college’s nursing students enjoy a liberal arts education and receive a range of cultural healthcare perspectives, with access to six international locations. Approximately 100 BSN and 40 MSN students graduate from the school’s prelicensure programs each year. BSN students have maintained a strong 93% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, while direct entry MSN students scored a perfect 100% pass rate in eight of the past ten years. The school offers a wide range of graduate programs, including certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and pediatric or psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP) options.

FIND A SCHOOL

353500.png#21: Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing focuses solely on graduate nursing study. The university offers traditional and direct-entry MSN programs, eleven distinct post-master’s certificates for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and two doctoral options (DNP and PhD). The direct-entry MSN program graduates approximately 150 new nurses annually who have passed the NCLEX exam at a 93% first-try rate over the past decade. Vanderbilt’s APRN specialties run the gamut from family nurse practitioner to nurse-midwifery to nursing informatics. The MSN program also partners with Vanderbilt Divinity School to offer two innovative dual degrees.

343800.jpg#22: Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC College of Nursing has been ranked #3 in the nation among online graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers MSN, DNP, and nursing science PhD programs, all of which can be completed predominantly online with just a few required visits to campus. MUSC also offers an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program and an on-campus, 16-month accelerated BSN. Nearly 600 students attend MUSC College of Nursing in total, and approximately 100-150 students graduate from the ABSN program in two cohorts annually. These graduates have enjoyed a stellar NCLEX exam pass rate of 94% over the past decade.

153600.png#23: University of Miami
The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) is home to the Simulation Hospital for Advancing Research and Education (SHARE), one of the nation’s first education-based simulation hospitals. The school frequently ranks among the top 25 nursing schools nationwide in National Institutes of Health research funding. A member of the respected UHealth family, SONHS offers BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD degrees. Post-master’s certificates are also available in several nurse practitioner specializations. The school graduates approximately 200 students annually from its flagship prelicensure BSN program. During the past decade, more than 95% of these students passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam on their first try.

181300.jpg#24: Indiana University School of Nursing
Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) was the first college in the history of the NLN to hold two simultaneous designations as a Center of Excellence. The school also receives over $2.5 million annually in NIH funding for its nursing research. Almost 40% of Indiana’s baccalaureate-prepared professional nurses graduate from IUSON, with consistently strong NCLEX pass rates of 87-94% each year. Students benefit from IUSON’s active partnerships with more than sixty healthcare providers in Indiana, including five well-known facilities directly on campus. Study abroad courses and bi-national exchanges are also encouraged.

144500.gif#25: Georgetown University
Georgetown University has educated more than 8,000 healthcare professionals since its nursing program was founded in 1903. The School of Nursing & Health Studies conducts a breadth of program offerings at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Students in the school’s traditional four-year BSN program have a remarkable 97% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduates from the MSN-CNL track have performed even better, with a 99% NCLEX pass rate since the program’s inception. Georgetown also offers four MSN specialty tracks and two practice doctorates: doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP). Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities like the O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center and the Discovery Center.

289400.png#26: University of Rochester
The University of Rochester School of Nursing prides itself on innovation in nursing education, including the country’s first acute care nurse practitioner program and its first center for nursing entrepreneurship. The school’s most recent initiative is its Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which has helped Rochester to earn four consecutive Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) awards. Over the past decade, 92% of students in the accelerated BSN program have passed the NCLEX licensure exam on their first try. The school also provides an online RN-to-BSN, an MSN with nine specialty tracks, a DNP with post-baccalaureate and post-master’s entry points, and a PhD in nursing and health science. Nursing students have access to the university’s state-of-the-art Clinical and Educational Resource Center as well as a 52-bed neonatal intensive care unit.

488200.png#27: Oregon Health & Science University
OHSU School of Nursing is one of the state’s largest nursing schools, with an enrollment of 1,100 students across five campuses (Portland, Ashland, Monmouth, La Grande, Klamath Falls) and online. OHSU offers a traditional BSN at all five campuses, an accelerated BSN in Portland and Ashland with seamless MSN/DNP transition, and an RN-to-BSN program in Portland and online. Traditional BSN students have achieved a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 90-95% in each of the past eight years. Accelerated BSN students have fared even better, consistently posting 93-99% NCLEX pass rates throughout that period. OHSU offers graduate specialties in nurse anesthesia, nurse midwifery, and four nurse practitioner roles: family, adult-gerontology acute care, psychiatric-mental health, and pediatric.

302400.png#28: Case Western Reserve University
The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University prides itself on innovation. The school was among the first in the country to offer several nursing programs, including acute care nurse practitioner, gerontological nursing, and doctor of nursing practice. It is also one of few private research universities to offer both a traditional four-year BSN degree and a direct-entry MSN pathway. BSN graduates have earned as high as a 95% pass rate in recent years. Case Western students benefit from their proximity to University Circle, a 550-acre scientific hub with numerous premier healthcare organizations. The school also has seven centers of excellence for nursing opportunities and experiences.

177600.png#29: University of Illinois at Chicago
Educating a diverse student body of more than 1,300 individuals, UIC College of Nursing is consistently among the top ten nursing schools nationwide by National Institutes of Health research funding. The college also has three specialty programs that are frequently ranked in the top tier by U.S. News & World Report: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, and nursing administration. UIC offers nursing degree programs at its flagship campus in Chicago as well as regional sites in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. Nursing students have access to seven health science colleges at the university, enabling enhanced interprofessional classroom and clinical opportunities.

131500.gif#30: University of California, Los Angeles
The UCLA School of Nursing has earned numerous national accolades. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the school among the top 25 nationwide for graduate nursing studies. UCLA is also ranked #9 in NIH research funding for nursing schools over the past decade. Approximately 600 nursing students are enrolled across the university’s BSN, MSN, and PhD programs. The MSN program offers a direct-entry track for non-nurses which leads to CNL certification, as well as numerous advanced practice tracks in various NP and CNS specialties. UCLA students are well-prepared for licensure: the school’s BSN graduates have achieved an 87% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, while direct-entry MSN candidates have scored a 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate.

FIND A SCHOOL

495200.gif#31: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The UTMB School of Nursing is frequently ranked among the top twenty-five online graduate nursing programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In-person nursing students have access to the university’s new Health Education Center, which features a 77-bed simulated hospital and five floors of cutting-edge simulation facilities. The school’s prelicensure BSN program graduates more than 300 students annually, with a phenomenal 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past three years. UTMB also leads RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Seven MSN tracks are available including clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, and nurse educator. The university’s online DNP program is designed for working nurses, with eight semesters of study and a manageable load of just two courses per semester.

367500.png#32: University of Utah
The University of Utah College of Nursing produces 250-300 graduates annually across its many nursing programs. Prelicensure BSN students have achieved an impressive first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 93% over the past decade. The college also offers an online RN-to-BSN completion program for existing registered nurses; MSN focuses in care management, education, and informatics; and eight DNP specialty tracks, including seven nurse practitioner roles and nurse midwifery. The University of Utah’s distance PhD program has both BSN-to-PhD and MSN-to-PhD tracks, and the College of Nursing consistently ranks among the top 25 nursing schools nationwide in NIH research funding.

141700.jpg#33: University of Connecticut
Founded in 1942, UConn’s School of Nursing is the only research-focused nursing university in New England. The school has earned an NLN Center of Excellence designation and ranks among the top twenty public universities in the United States. Moreover, its Homer D. Babbidge Library is considered among the nation’s thirty best research resources, housing over 2.5 million volumes in its ever-expanding database. The School of Nursing provides bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. UConn graduates over 200 students each year from its BSN programs, which include a traditional four-year offering on the Storrs campus and accelerated pathways in four cities. Collectively, these BSN students have achieved a strong NCLEX pass rate of 93% since 2010.

396900.png#34: University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the region. It was the first nursing school in the nation to offer DNP programs in certified registered nurse anesthetist, nursing informatics, and health innovation and leadership. Indeed, the school’s DNP program was recently ranked among the top 30 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Minnesota also offers highly regarded BSN and MSN programs. The school produces 120-140 BSN and 60-65 MSN prelicensure graduates annually. These students have achieved NCLEX first-time pass rates of 87% and 92%, respectively, over the past decade.

689500.png#35: University of Nebraska Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center is a prominent and vast institution that enrolls more than 3,700 students. Nearly half of the state’s bachelor-prepared nurses, physicians, dental professionals, pharmacists, and allied health professionals have graduated from UNMC. The school’s College of Nursing offers traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-to-BSN programs for undergraduates, as well as MSN, DNP, and PhD degrees for graduate nurses. In addition, a post-master’s certificate is offered in areas ranging from adult gerontology to women’s health. Prelicensure BSN graduates have enjoyed an excellent 91% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN examination over the past eight years.

292300.jpg#36: East Carolina University
East Carolina University has garnered four consecutive Center of Excellence designations from the National League for Nursing. The ECU College of Nursing offers traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-to-BSN pathways, plus the innovative Eastern North Carolina Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses program. This initiative dually admits students to ECU and one of six local community colleges that partner with the university. The College of Nursing graduates approximately 250 prelicensure BSN students each year, with a phenomenal 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past seven years. ECU also offers a breadth of graduate nursing options including MSN, DNP, and PhD programs.

103600.png#37: Samford University
The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing at Samford University is home to more than 700 nursing students. The undergraduate BSN program offers four education pathways, including a traditional four-year degree, standard and accelerated versions of the second-degree program, and a unique Veterans’ BSN. In total, Samford graduates over 100 newly minted RNs annually. These BSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a 94% first-try rate over the past eight years, including an incredible 99% pass rate for the class of 2015. Samford’s graduate nursing curriculum includes specialty programs for family nursing practice, health systems and administration, nursing anesthesia, and nurse education.

365800.png#38: University of Texas at Austin
The UT Austin School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top 25 in the nation for its graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. The school also ranks among the top 25 universities in nursing research funding by the National Institutes of Health. UT Austin enrolls approximately 800 students across a wealth of nursing programs, including traditional BSN, ADN-to-BSN, traditional and alternate-entry MSN, traditional and alternate-entry PhD, and DNP options. The school produces approximately 120 prelicensure BSN and 60 prelicensure MSN graduates annually. These students have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at a 94% first-try rate over the past decade.

153500.png#39: University of Florida
The UF College of Nursing is home to Florida’s oldest doctoral nursing program. The university also launched the state’s first nurse practitioner program and its first BSN-to-PhD track. Currently, the University of Florida offers BSN, ABSN, and RN-to-BSN programs to approximately 700 undergraduate students. Graduates of the BSN program have passed the NCLEX-RN exam at a remarkable 93% first-time rate over the past decade. The College of Nursing also educates approximately 300 graduate nursing students, providing BSN and MSN entry points to both its DNP and PhD programs. Specialty tracks are offered in five nurse practitioner fields.

1239300.jpg#40: Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson College of Nursing is one of six colleges dedicated to health sciences education and research at Thomas Jefferson University. Undergraduate students can select from a traditional BSN track and two accelerated pathways. The college graduates 250-300 BSN students in total each year, with an admirable 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Jefferson also offers an extensive range of graduate nursing programs, with eight distinct specializations available at the MSN and doctoral levels. Students benefit from access to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, one of the top-ranked hospitals nationwide. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has recognized Jefferson for its quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing.

FIND A SCHOOL

975600.png#41: University of Massachusetts Medical School
UMass Medical School is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the leading medical schools in the nation for primary care education. UMMS’s graduate school of nursing, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, offers master’s degrees, post-master’s certificates, and doctoral degrees. It stands out as the only publicly funded nursing school in the commonwealth with a sole focus on graduate education. It is no surprise, then, that their direct entry MSN program has boasted an exceptional NCLEX pass rate of 96% over the past decade.

389500.png#42: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Established in 1924, the UW Madison School of Nursing enrolls more than 1,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. The school graduates approximately 150 prelicensure BSN students annually, who consistently achieve solid NCLEX pass rates of 85-93% each year. Graduate students can pursue either type of doctoral degree (DNP, PhD) as well as four certificate programs (clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, psychiatric mental health, school nursing). The school’s new Signe Skott Cooper Hall has state-of-the-art simulation labs and research facilities. Adjacent is the Health Sciences Learning Center that brings students together across the disciplines of nursing, medicine, and pharmacy. Nursing students also have access to leading facilities in Madison for their clinical practice and research.

374500.png#43: University of Virginia
The University of Virginia School of Nursing was recently ranked among the top four percent of nursing schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers an impressive breadth of program options including prelicensure BSN, RN-to-BSN, seven distinct MSN tracks, two DNP entry points, and a PhD in nursing science. UVA graduates a prelicensure BSN class of approximately 90 students each spring. These candidates have averaged an 89% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination over the past decade. UVA’s direct-entry clinical nurse leader students have performed even better on the licensure exam, with a 94% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Several recent CNL cohorts have scored a perfect 100% pass rate.

701200.gif#44: Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University has prepared professional nurses for a century. Undergraduates can enroll in either a traditional or accelerated BSN program. Across the two pathways, SMU graduates 350-400 BSN students each year who have passed the NCLEX exam at an 88% rate since 2008. Just as impressively, the school’s entry-level MSN program, which graduates 80-100 students annually, has a 90% NCLEX exam pass rate over that same time period. MSN students may prepare for careers as a case manager, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or family nurse practitioner. The university also offers a DNP degree with an FNP specialization. All SMU nursing students have access to global medical mission opportunities as well as the Health Sciences Simulation Center, one of the region’s most advanced healthcare simulation facilities.

309000.png#45: Ohio State University
Twice designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, Ohio State’s College of Nursing has educated over 12,000 nurses since its inception. The college places a strong emphasis on research and patient-centered practice across its various program offerings. Ohio State’s online MSN program consistently ranks among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Numerous other programs have garnered top-ten rankings as well, including the DNP degree and several of its subspecialties. The school graduates 200-230 students annually from its four-year BSN program, with an excellent first-time NCLEX pass rate of 94% over the past decade.

138500.jpg#46: Fairfield University
Fairfield University’s MSN and DNP programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Their Master’s in Nursing Leadership program has also been recognized for its excellence by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies also offers both traditional and accelerated BSN tracks for undergraduate students. Prelicensure BSN graduates have passed the NCLEX exam at approximately a 90% first-try rate over the past decade.

638900.png#47: Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College was the first school in the nation accredited by the National League for Nursing. The college has also been recognized as a Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence. Barnes-Jewish College conducts BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD degree programs across two campus sites, one at Washington University Medical Center and one at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Approximately 400 BSN graduates sit for the National Council Licensure Examination annually, and they have passed this test at a 90% first-try rate over the past decade. More than 40% of graduates land positions at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

219900.jpg#48: Northeastern University
Northeastern’s School of Nursing, part of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, provides students broad interaction across Bouvé’s entire faculty. The school maintains a strong focus on research and an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. Indeed, Northeastern was designated an NLN Center of Excellence in 2013 for enhancing student learning and professional development. Prelicensure students perform very well on the NCLEX exam. The school’s BSN program posted a 92% pass rate over the past decade, while its direct entry MSN program scored a phenomenal 95% pass rate over that time period. Northeastern also offers an online RN-to-BSN program, an MSN curriculum with six nurse practitioner specialties, two doctoral nursing degrees (PhD and DNP), and nurse anesthesia programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels.

325600.png#49: Drexel University
Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has developed and refined more than 25 undergraduate and graduate nursing programs since 2002. The college currently includes more than 5,000 students, 200 full-time faculty, and 104 staff. Drexel graduates approximately 300-400 traditional BSN students each year with an exemplary NCLEX pass rate of 97% since 2009. The college’s performance on numerous other board certification and licensing exams is well above average, including recent 100% pass rates for the physician assistant and nurse anesthesia programs.

344800.png#50: University of South Carolina
The USC College of Nursing has the #5 online graduate nursing program in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. USC’s graduate nursing curriculum includes several MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP specializations – all delivered online – as well as an on-campus PhD program with flexible scheduling and tuition support. At the undergraduate level, the College of Nursing offers a traditional four-year nursing degree and an online RN-to-BSN pathway. USC produces the largest number of prelicensure BSN graduates in the state with approximately 200 annually, or roughly 10% of the statewide total. These students have passed the NCLEX exam at a rate of 92% or higher in each of the past nine years, including stellar pass rates of 99.5% in 2018 and 100% in 2019.

FIND A SCHOOL

189200.jpg#51: University of Iowa
The College of Nursing at the University of Iowa is a Big Ten nursing school, hailed as a national leader in gerontology, nursing service administration, pediatric nursing practice, and nurse anesthesia. Indeed, the university frequently receives top-ten national rankings in all four of these specializations. UI College of Nursing offers a full slate of graduate programs including DNP and PhD degrees, seven different post-graduate certificates, and an MSN with clinical nurse leader focus. At the undergraduate level, the college produces approximately 130 BSN candidates annually. These students have passed the NCLEX licensure examination at a rate of 94-98% an amazing seven years in a row.

322400.png#52: University of Portland
The University of Portland School of Nursing awards BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees. The baccalaureate program incorporates study abroad experiences in countries like Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Tanzania. UP produces approximately 200 BSN graduates annually who have averaged a solid 89% NCLEX pass rate since 2008. The graduate program employs a convenient hybrid delivery model of monthly immersion weekends and online learning modules. UP offers an MSN degree with clinical nurse leader and nurse educator tracks, as well as a DNP program with a family nurse practitioner population focus.

998700.png#53: Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Saint Anthony College of Nursing is a private Catholic college with a variety of regionally acclaimed nursing programs. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional BSN or RN-to-BSN pathway. Graduate nursing students have four MSN tracks (CNL, CNS, FNP, nurse educator) and four DNP specializations (CNS, FNP, AGPCNP, healthcare leadership) from which to choose. Saint Anthony’s BSN students earn consistently stellar scores on their licensure exams, passing the NCLEX exam at a 95% rate over the last decade, including a 99% pass rate for the classes of 2015 and 2017. Graduate students have performed similarly well on the APRN certification tests, including a 100% (nine out of nine) FNP pass rate for one of Saint Anthony’s recent MSN classes.

194802.png#54: University of Kansas Medical Center
The University of Kansas School of Nursing has twice been designated an NLN Center of Excellence for enhancing student learning and professional development. The university also ranks among the top 25 public nursing schools nationwide in terms of National Institutes of Health research funding. KU School of Nursing offers a notable breadth of programs including advanced practice clinical, leadership, and nurse educator certificates; traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees; and a PhD program in nursing, the only one of its kind in the region. Traditional BSN graduates have averaged a strong 91% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade.

220800.png#55: Simmons University
Simmons’s low student-to-faculty ratio allows it to concentrate on strong, clinically based baccalaureate, master’s, post-master’s, and doctoral programs in nursing. Simmons students can also take advantage of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, which features 21 renowned medical and academic institutions in their immediate backyard. The school graduates approximately 200 students annually from its prelicensure BSN program, with a strong 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Simmons’s direct entry MSN program graduates an additional 30-50 students annually. It has boasted a phenomenal 98.5% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, with most cohorts scoring a perfect 100% pass rate.

3069100.jpg#56: Allen College
Allen College graduated its first DNP class in 2013. The school also offers four nurse practitioner tracks in its MSN program, including adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family practice, and family psychiatric mental health. The school’s baccalaureate program has three prelicensure tracks (traditional, accelerated, and LPN-to-BSN) and two postlicensure tracks (RN-to-BSN and public health). BSN students have the option to earn a minor in the pioneering area of population health. Allen College produces 100-125 prelicensure BSN graduates annually, and these students have passed the NCLEX exam at a stellar 94% rate over the past decade.

143100.jpg#57: University of Delaware
Founded 50 years ago, University of Delaware’s School of Nursing is focused on increasing the cultural and ethnic diversity of nurses in the state. In fact, the school received a three-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration in 2014 towards this effort. Roughly 150-180 students graduate from UD’s BSN program each year, achieving a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 88% over the past decade. The school places an emphasis on learning experiences and students have access to well-equipped simulation labs, including the Clinical Critical Care Lab and the Clinical Maternal Child Lab.

450800.jpg#58: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
In 1965, the University of Colorado (CU) College of Nursing instituted the first nurse practitioner and school nurse programs in the United States. In 2005, the college became one of the first seven schools in the nation to launch the new DNP program. Today, the College of Nursing enrolls approximately 1,000 students across a wide breadth of nursing degree and certificate programs. Undergraduates can pursue five BSN pathways: traditional, honors, accelerated, an integrated community college partnership, and RN-to-BSN. For an astonishing twelve years in a row, the college’s 200-plus annual BSN graduates have passed the NCLEX exam at a 91% or higher rate. At the graduate level, CU offers eleven MSN specialty tracks, a distance-accessible PhD program, a DNP degree with a public health nursing (PHN) focus, and a dual DNP/MPH track.

365900.png#59: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the only Tier 1 research university in South Texas. The School of Nursing is home to 750 students enrolled in traditional BSN, accelerated BSN (also known as “ABSN”), MSN, DNP, and PhD degree programs. In addition, the school offers post-graduate certificates in specialty areas from FNP to NED, plus a unique alternate-entry MSN option for ADN- or diploma-educated RNs. The School of Nursing produces 250-350 prelicensure BSN graduates annually who have posted an 86% NCLEX first-attempt pass rate over the past decade.

2231600.jpg#60: MGH Institute of Health Professions
The MGH Institute of Health Professions is always innovating. In 2007, its School of Nursing was one of the first four institutions in the country to create an accredited DNP program. The school introduced a holistic Mind Body Spirit program in 2011 and a Global Health Nursing certification program in 2013. More than 80% of the school’s faculty members possess a doctoral degree. MGH Institute students perform very well on licensure and certification exams. Prelicensure BSN students have achieved an 86% first-time NCLEX pass rate since the program’s inception, while their counterparts in the direct entry MSN program scored a 90% first-time pass rate over that time period. Advanced practice students perform similarly well on their APRN certification exams.

FIND A SCHOOL

140200.png#61: Quinnipiac University
With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio that beats the national average of 15:1, Quinnipiac University allows students closer interaction with faculty. USA Today has named Quinnipiac one of the top ten places to earn a nursing degree in the country. The school’s flagship bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program graduates well over 100 students annually from its traditional four-year pathway. Another 50 students graduate from the accelerated BSN program each year. Quinnipiac students have passed the NCLEX exam at a solid 90% rate over the past decade, including an impressive 93% pass rate for the accelerated BSN program. Quinnipiac also offers an online BSN for registered nurses and a full slate of graduate degrees and certificates.

380001.png#62: Washington State University
The WSU College of Nursing has educated more than 8,000 nursing professionals since 1968. The school offers programs at five campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla, and Yakima. Undergraduates may pursue a traditional BSN at three sites (Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Yakima) or a flexible RN-to-BSN program at all five. The college graduates approximately 250 prelicensure BSN students each year, with a solid 88% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. In graduate study, WSU offers two MSN tracks (nurse leader, nurse educator), three DNP tracks (family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, population health nurse), and a nursing PhD program. All graduate programs support multiple entry points.

169200.png#63: Illinois State University
Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Approximately 150 BSN graduates from the college appear for the NCLEX exam annually, with an excellent pass rate of 94-100% every single year since 2008. MCN students have access to a 10,000-square-foot Nursing Simulation Laboratory, enjoy an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical settings, and can travel to five international locations for nursing experiences. The college is focused on diversity and recently received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services towards increasing nursing education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

105200.png#64: University of Alabama at Birmingham
UAB School of Nursing is nationally ranked among the top three percent of nursing schools by U.S. News & World Report. The school provides several unique opportunities for veterans, Peace Corps volunteers, and nurse practitioner students who plan to provide primary care in one of Alabama’s rural counties upon graduation. UAB offers two BSN entry points (traditional, ADN) and two MSN entry points (BSN, second degree), as well as DNP and PhD programs. The school’s traditional BSN program has more than 250 graduates annually, and they are well prepared for their licensure exams, tallying a 93% NCLEX pass rate over the past eight years.

372100.jpg#65: James Madison University
The School of Nursing at James Madison University has a number of unique offerings for nursing students, including international study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica, Spain, Tanzania, and Malta. JMU offers a broad range of nursing programs, from traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN pathways to MSN and DNP degrees. A chronic illness minor is also available. Undergraduates have posted a 92% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade, including a stellar 97% pass rate in 2018. JMU’s graduate nursing students can pursue concentrations in clinical nurse leader, nurse administrator, nurse midwifery, and three nurse practitioner roles (adult-gerontology primary care, family, psychiatric-mental health).

229000.gif#66: Michigan State University
The College of Nursing at Michigan State University has educated more than 6,000 nurses in its storied history. Over the past decade, MSU is among the top thirty universities nationwide in NIH funding for nursing research. The College of Nursing has received over $7.4 million in grants to enhance its nursing infrastructure. Students benefit from the new three-story, 50,000-square-foot Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research, which includes several seminar classrooms, faculty workstations, a PhD student collaboratory, and a student lounge. The school also supports initiatives for international learning in Africa, China, and England.

110900.png#67: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
The UAMS College of Nursing provides education to more than 600 nursing students. It is the only Arkansas university with four distinct programs – BSN, MSN, APRN certificates, and DNP – all maximally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The college also offers two degree completion tracks (RN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN-to-MSN) and the state’s only nursing PhD program. Each spring, UAMS graduates 100-175 BSN students who perform very strongly on the licensure exam, including an NCLEX pass rate of 91% over the past ten years.

182500.png#68: Purdue University
Purdue University’s School of Nursing is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences. The school enrolls 550 undergraduates in its traditional and second-degree BSN programs, as well as 50 graduate students in its MSN and DNP programs. Purdue’s graduating BSN class has passed the NCLEX exam at a strong rate of 92% since 2011. Nursing students can take advantage of unique facilities including the Center for Nursing History, Ethics, Human Rights, and Innovations; the Center for Nursing Education and Simulation; and the Nursing Center for Family Health. They can also seize the opportunity to study in four international locations.

262902.png#69: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
The Rutgers School of Nursing is New Jersey’s largest institution of nursing education, with more than 1,600 students across campus sites in Newark, New Brunswick, and Blackwood. Undergraduates may select from three BSN pathways (traditional, accelerated second degree, RN-to-BSN) as well as a post-baccalaureate school nurse certificate. The school graduates more than 300 students annually from its prelicensure BSN programs, maintaining a solid 88% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past five years. At the graduate level, Rutgers offers an MSN with informatics and leadership concentrations, seven post-master’s certificates, eleven areas of DNP specialization, and a PhD program with post-baccalaureate and post-master’s entry points.

374900.png#70: George Mason University
George Mason’s College of Health and Human Services houses the forty-year-old School of Nursing. The school has produced so many successful graduates that one in three nurses practicing in the DC metropolitan area is a GMU alumnus. Baccalaureate pathways include traditional BSN, accelerated second degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, and two co-enrollment programs. Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN students have averaged an 86% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination. GMU also offers MSN concentrations for aspiring nurse educators, nurse practitioners, and nursing administrators; an RN-to-MSN bridge program; post-master’s certificates for aspiring nurse educators and family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners; and both types of doctoral nursing degrees (DNP and PhD).

FIND A SCHOOL

338400.jpg#71: University of Scranton
Established in 1984, Scranton’s Department of Nursing draws from its Jesuit roots and offers nursing education with a strong base in the liberal arts. The department offers traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN, MSN (with four specialty tracks), and DNP programs. Students benefit from small class sizes and a strong clinical focus, with clinical experiences beginning during sophomore year. Indeed, Scranton’s BSN graduates have passed the NCLEX licensure exam at an impressive 93% rate since 2009. Undergraduates also have opportunities for research, study abroad, and participation in domestic and international service trips.

1039500.gif#72: University of San Diego
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science in the top tier of graduate nursing schools. USD offers a direct-entry MSN option for non-nurses; this pathway graduates 50-60 new nurses each year and has maintained a 91% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Existing nurses can pursue an MSN in eight different areas of emphasis, a DNP with two entry points (post-BSN, post-MSN), or a PhD with three entry points (post-BSN, post-MSN, post-DNP). In addition to a diverse collection of graduate offerings, Hahn provides the opportunity to participate in international mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

379000.png#73: Seattle University
The Seattle University College of Nursing offers a unique nursing curriculum that combines local and international nursing education. Students may take single academic courses abroad or enroll in a short- or long-term study abroad experience. Locations run the gamut from South America to Africa to Australia. The college offers a four-year BSN program as well as traditional and non-nurse immersion pathways to a DNP degree. Prelicensure students perform well on the NCLEX exam: over the past decade, 88% of BSN students and 94% of graduate immersion students passed the exam on their first attempt. Graduate students can choose from several nurse practitioner specializations, nurse midwifery, or advanced community public health nursing.

2482700.jpg#74: Western University of Health Sciences
The College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) at Western University of Health Sciences launched the nation’s first online curriculum for family nurse practitioners. The school also established the first DNP and direct-entry MSN programs in Southern California. CGN’s direct-entry MSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a strong 90% rate over the past decade, including a 100% pass rate during the 2012-13 academic year. In addition to direct entry, the MSN program offers a bridge option for RNs with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). MSN students can choose to specialize as administrative nurse leaders, clinical nurse leaders, ambulatory care nurses, or family nurse practitioners. A post-master’s FNP certificate is also available.

171000.jpg#75: Loyola University Chicago
In 1935, Loyola University Chicago was the first Illinois university to offer a BSN degree. Today, the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing offers undergraduate (BSN), master’s (MSN), and doctoral (DNP and PhD) nursing programs. More than 85% of the school’s full-time faculty have doctoral degrees. Loyola’s BSN graduates have scored an impressive NCLEX pass rate of 91% over the past decade. Community outreach is a priority for the school, and it operates two nurse-managed centers that also serve as clinical sites for student practice.

121800.png#76: Loma Linda University
At Loma Linda University, students have access to the largest medical simulation center in the United States. They are also proximally located to Loma Linda University Medical Center, which hosts some of the nation’s largest clinical programs. Undergraduate pathways include the traditional BSN, accelerated BSN for non-nursing degree-holders, LVN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. LLU graduates more than 150 students annually from its prelicensure BSN pathways, with a solid 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The university also offers MSN tracks for aspiring CRNAs, nurse administrators, and nurse educators, in addition to DNP and nursing PhD programs.

250600.png#77: Saint Louis University
The School of Nursing at Saint Louis University created the first accelerated BSN and comprehensive online MSN programs in the nation, the first accelerated MSN and nursing PhD programs in Missouri, and the first DNP program in St. Louis. SLU’s BSN graduates have maintained a strong NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 90% over the past decade, well above both state and national averages. In addition to impressive licensure exam pass rates, Saint Louis University’s programs are nationally recognized for their innovative and comprehensive curriculum.

3071900.png#78: Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing enrolls over 1,000 students and conducts one of the largest baccalaureate nursing programs in the state, with 200+ annual BSN graduates. Since 2009, these students have passed the NCLEX exam at an 88% rate on their first effort. The college also offers an MSN program with four specialty tracks and a DNP program. Mount Carmel fosters ethnic diversity in its student body and emphasizes small class sizes and personal faculty attention. Students have easy access to hands-on learning at Mount Carmel West Hospital, located right on campus.

136300.png#79: Regis University
The Loretto Heights School of Nursing (LHSON) offers a broad range of nursing degree and certificate programs. Undergraduates can choose one of five BSN pathways: traditional, accelerated (for non-nursing college graduates), CHOICE (for individuals working in healthcare), RN-to-BSN, or RN-to-BSN/MSN. Across the three prelicensure pathways, BSN graduates have averaged a strong 92% NCLEX exam pass rate since 2012. The graduate nursing department provides MSN tracks in education, management, family nurse practitioner, and neonatal nurse practitioner, as well as graduate certificates in most of these fields. LHSON also leads a two- to three-year DNP program that students may complete 100% online.

258900.png#80: University of New Hampshire
The Department of Nursing at UNH’s College of Health and Human Services offers several nursing pathways including a traditional four-year BSN degree, a direct-entry MSN program, an MSN degree with three tracks, and an online DNP program. Students from the traditional BSN program have scored a 94% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past eight years, while their counterparts in the direct-entry MSN program have achieved a 96% pass rate over the same time period. The MSN curriculum offers specializations in clinical nurse leader, evidence-based nursing, and family nurse practitioner. The school also offers post-master’s certificates in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health.

FIND A SCHOOL

164100.png#81: Bradley University
Bradley University’s Department of Nursing offers two BSN pathways (four-year, accelerated) and three traditional MSN tracks (general, nursing administration, nursing education). The BSN program graduates 65-90 students annually and has maintained a remarkable 94% NCLEX pass rate over the past ten years. Undergraduates learn from 22 experienced faculty and begin clinical experiences during sophomore year. Bradley’s traditional MSN program is complemented by its extensive online curriculum, including an RN-to-MSN bridge, two MSN concentrations (nursing administration, FNP), and two DNP concentrations (leadership, FNP). These online programs provide flexibility and easy access so that working nurses can improve their educational qualifications while in the field.

347900.jpg#82: Belmont University
Belmont University’s School of Nursing has program options for students new to nursing, RNs looking to complete their baccalaureate education, and seasoned nurses seeking career advancement. Undergraduate offerings include a traditional four-year BSN, an accelerated BSN, and an RN-to-BSN program. Belmont graduates 100-150 prelicensure BSN students each spring, who have posted an impressive first-time NCLEX pass rate of 91% over the past decade. Graduate options include MSN, post-bachelor’s DNP, and post-master’s DNP programs. The School of Nursing provides several innovative opportunities in its curriculum, include the Cambodia Study Abroad Program and the Nursing Christian Fellowship.

386300.jpg#83: Marquette University
Founded in 1936, the College of Nursing at Marquette University has more than 7,000 alumni and educates approximately 350 nursing students annually. The college offers BSN, MSN, post-master’s certificate, DNP, and PhD nursing programs, with a low 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio across all clinical settings. Graduates of the school’s flagship BSN program have passed the NCLEX exam at an 85% first-time rate since 2011, including an excellent 92% first-time pass rate in 2017. The College of Nursing is housed in 46,000-square-foot Emory T. Clark Hall, where students benefit from new facilities like the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Center for Clinical Simulation.

254200.png#84: Creighton University
The College of Nursing at Creighton University was the first nursing school in Nebraska to offer clinical nurse leader and doctor of nursing practice programs. The school also has MSN and post-graduate certificate programs, as well as both a four-year BSN and an accelerated BSN that can be completed in just one year. The college graduates between 150 and 200 BSN students annually, and they have achieved a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Just as impressively, Creighton’s graduate students typically score a 100% first-time pass rate on their nurse practitioner certification exams.

395400.jpg#85: University of Central Florida
The UCF College of Nursing is a recognized leader in online education. The school’s online MSN program recently ranked among the top three in Florida and the top 50 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. UCF offers six distinct MSN tracks: three nurse practitioner specialties, nursing leadership, healthcare simulation, and nurse education. Several of these tracks are also offered to DNP students. For undergraduates, UCF provides five BSN pathways including a Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP) for active-duty military students. BSN graduates routinely perform well on the licensure exam, with a phenomenal 96% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.

377800.jpg#86: Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University’s School of Nursing & Human Physiology offers a variety of baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional prelicensure BSN. Admission occurs during freshman year and is highly competitive. Not surprisingly, BSN students perform exceptionally well on the NCLEX licensure exam, posting a 91% first-time pass rate over the past decade. Gonzaga’s MSN program is offered entirely online, featuring three entry points (traditional, post-ADN, second master’s) and three specialty tracks (health systems leadership, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner). The university offers two doctoral nursing programs: a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) ranked in the top 20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, and an online DNP.

373500.jpg#87: Virginia Commonwealth University
The VCU School of Nursing boasts a state-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center with a skills lab and two intensive care simulation suites. The center was recognized in 2010 as a Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence. VCU also provides nursing students with 45,000 square feet of classrooms, auditoriums, and research laboratories. The university offers three BSN pathways (traditional, accelerated, RN completion), five MSN concentrations, and both doctoral nursing degrees (DNP and PhD). VCU graduates approximately 150 prelicensure BSN students each year, who have passed the NCLEX exam at an impressive 93% first-try rate over the past decade.

198900.jpg#88: University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing created the nation’s first DNP program and Kentucky’s first nursing PhD program. UK was also the first nurse researcher in the U.S. to be awarded a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant. Home to more than 1,400 students, the college provides four BSN pathways: traditional, second degree, MedVet-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. Over the last decade, UK’s 160-200 annual BSN graduates have enjoyed an astonishing 97% NCLEX pass rate, including four consecutive years of 99% or higher. The college also offers graduate certificate programs in four nurse practitioner specialties, clinical nurse specialist, and populations and organizational systems leadership.

365600.jpg#89: University of Texas at Arlington
UT Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the largest producer of baccalaureate-educated nurses in the state. The school has approximately 17,000 online and on-campus students, and it holds two simultaneous NLN Center of Excellence designations. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional four-year BSN, a Veterans BSN for former military healthcare specialists, or an RN-to-BSN completion program for existing nurses. UT Arlington graduates over 600 prelicensure BSN students annually, who have achieved a 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, nurses can pursue a number of MSN specializations including administration, education, and seven distinct nurse practitioner roles. The college also offers DNP and PhD programs.

111700.jpg#90: Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing has a nursing program for every career objective. Undergraduates can pursue a four-year BSN, an LVN-to-BSN bridge, an RN-to-BSN completion program, or the Two-Plus-Two BSN. The final option is a unique track designed for APU transfer students. Prelicensure BSN candidates have passed the NCLEX exam at a solid 84% first-time rate over the past decade. The university’s MSN program includes a direct-entry pathway, and these students have demonstrated a similarly strong NCLEX pass rate of 86%. The MSN curriculum features specialties in nursing education, school nursing, two CNS areas, and four NP roles. APU also offers a DNP program, a nursing PhD program, and eight post-master’s nursing certificates.

FIND A SCHOOL

378500.jpg#91: Pacific Lutheran University
The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University offers a top-tier MSN program with several entry points and specializations. Entry points include the traditional post-BSN program, an RN-to-MSN pathway for nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field, and an entry-level program for non-nurses. Students can specialize as either an advanced generalist or a clinical nurse leader. The entry-level MSN program is select, admitting just 20-30 candidates each year, and its students have maintained an exceptional 96% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past decade. The School of Nursing also offers two BSN pathways – traditional and LPN bridge – as well as a DNP program that prepares aspiring family nurse practitioners and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. Approximately 80 BSN graduates annually have averaged a 93% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.

299700.png#92: North Dakota State University
The School of Nursing at North Dakota State University offers several degree programs, both for students with no prior healthcare experience and for licensed nurses looking to enhance their careers. Options include prelicensure BSN, LPN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN tracks as well as a BSN-to-DNP program with a family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialty. Each year, 130-160 BSN graduates take the NCLEX exam across both the NDSU Fargo campus and NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Bismarck. These students have averaged an impressive first-time pass rate of 94% over the past decade. The number of FNP graduates who pass the certification examination for advanced practice also well exceeds the national average.

331300.png#93: Widener University
Formerly the Crozer College of Nursing, Widener’s School of Nursing opened in 1966 and marked the first time women were admitted as students. The school graduates 100-150 BSN students annually, and they have passed the NCLEX exam at rates as high as 90% in recent years. Widener is particularly recognized for its graduate nursing programs: the school offers five specialty master’s tracks, two doctoral programs (DNP and PhD), and three accelerated graduate options. Students at Widener enjoy an 8:1 student-to-faculty clinical ratio and state-of-the-art facilities at the Center for Simulation and Computerized Testing.

329800.png#94: Messiah University
The Department of Nursing at Messiah University recently constructed a state-of-the-art advanced simulation lab. This complements the school’s slate of newly renovated labs including a maternal-child lab, a psychiatric-mental health lab, two basic skills labs, and a physical assessment lab. Messiah also maintains contracts with a wide variety of excellent clinical agencies in the Central Pennsylvania area. In the university’s flagship BSN program, students have achieved an outstanding 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past five years, including a perfect 100% (39 out of 39) pass rate for the class of 2019. Graduate nursing students can pursue an MSN degree with a nurse educator or nursing administration focus, a post-master’s certificate in either field, or a DNP degree with a family nurse practitioner or nursing leadership focus.

251600.png#95: University of Missouri
The University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing (SSON) is a member of one of the most comprehensive healthcare networks in Missouri, including the School of Health Professions, the School of Medicine, and University of Missouri Health Care. SSON educates nurses at all levels through its traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, online RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD degree programs. At the undergraduate level, SSON produces 150-200 prelicensure BSN graduates annually. These students have passed the NCLEX-RN exam at an exceptional rate of 92-96% for at least eleven years in a row.

297600.png#96: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The UNCG School of Nursing has earned four consecutive NLN Center of Excellence designations for promoting the pedagogical expertise of faculty. The school offers three undergraduate pathways: traditional four-year BSN, RN-to-BSN, and BSN as a second degree. UNCG graduates more than 100 prelicensure BSN students annually, who have averaged a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The school’s online MSN program is consistently ranked among the top twenty nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. UNCG also offers a dual MSN / MBA degree and very selective DNP and PhD programs.

183600.jpg#97: Saint Mary’s College
The Department of Nursing Science at Saint Mary’s College offers three distinct nursing programs: traditional BSN, DNP with BSN entry, and DNP with MSN entry. With just 40-60 graduates annually, the BSN program is very selective. It also prepares students well for their licensure exams: over the past decade, 89% of graduates have passed the NCLEX exam on their first try. Students begin clinical experiences during sophomore year under the supervision of qualified faculty members in small classes. These experiences are facilitated by the school’s affiliations with local hospitals, long-term care facilities, health departments, and other community settings.

258600.png#98: Rivier University
Rivier University’s ASN, BSN, MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP programs are all accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Rivier students consistently perform well on licensure and certification tests. For example, ASN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a 92% rate over the past four years, while the first two BSN graduating classes scored a collective 99% NCLEX pass rate. MSN students have also consistently scored an 89-92% pass rate on both the FNP and PMHNP certification exams. All of these scores far exceeded the respective national averages. Rivier’s undergraduate programs are noted for their flexibility: students can pursue a part-time evening ASN, a traditional four-year BSN, or a flexible online RN-to-BSN pathway.

266600.png#99: Adelphi University
With more than seventy years of nursing education experience, the Adelphi College of Nursing and Public Health has twice been designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. The college currently enrolls over 1,000 undergraduates and approximately 150 graduate nurses. Adelphi students benefit from small class sizes and strong collaboration with faculty. Approximately 250-350 BSN students sit for the NCLEX exam each year, and they have scored a 79% first-time pass rate over the past decade. The college also prides itself on the fact that approximately 90% of Adelphi master’s degree students gain employment within a year of graduation.

347100.png#100: South Dakota State University
The College of Nursing at South Dakota State University has an 80-year history of providing high-quality nursing education. Home to more than 1,000 nursing students across its BSN, MSN, post-graduate certificate, DNP, and PhD programs, SDSU has posted an enviable job placement rate as high as 100% for some recent graduating classes. The undergraduate nursing program produces approximately 300 prelicensure candidates each year. These students have scored an impressive 92% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade. Recent years have also witnessed a perfect 100% pass rate for APRN graduates seeking certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.