College of Nursing Graduate Rankings Rise Nationally, Hold Top Spots in Florida

College of Nursing Graduate Rankings Rise Nationally, Hold Top Spots in Florida
Skip to Main Content
Nursing News
College of Nursing Graduate Rankings Rise Nationally, Hold Top Spots in Florida
April 3, 2026
Awards & Accolades
,
Current News
The University of South Florida’s College of Nursing is celebrating a top 50 national
ranking for its graduate programs, after the latest U.S. News & World Report graduate
rankings were released April 7.
The College’s Master of Science (MSN) program is now ranked No. 22 in the nation,
up one spot from last year. This is also the third consecutive year the MSN program
has earned the top rank among all institutions in Florida.
The
MSN
program includes a wide variety of concentrations available with multiple pathways
depending on a student’s level of experience. The program also boasts expert, highly
credentialed faculty – including research faculty – who often work among interdisciplinary
teams within
USF Health
. College of Nursing graduates consistently have a high success rate in obtaining
APRN licensure and employment in the field.
Maintaining our top ranking for the MSN program is the result of our committed faculty,
our rigorous curriculum, and our outstanding students who push themselves both in
and out of the classroom. We’re also incredibly proud of the gains we’ve seen in our
DNP and Nurse Anesthesia programs – results that also reflect intentional work by
our faculty and nursing leadership.
Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, senior associate vice president of USF Health and
dean of the College of Nursing
The college’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in
Nurse Anesthesiology
program increased its rank to No. 40 in the nation, up one spot from No. 41 last
year. The program is also tied for the top ranking among all Florida institutions.
Over the last year, the program expanded its full-time faculty team to support program
growth and excellence, achieved a 45% year-over-year increase in applications, and
enhanced its global impact by partnering with underserved countries to implement evidence-based
research.
The college’s
Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) program also improved its rank to No. 47 in the nation, up from No. 52 last
year. In the last year, the DNP program rolled out a new BSN-to-DNP curriculum, continued
to invest in expert faculty who implement evidence-based quality improvement initiatives
alongside students, and increased academic rigor that better prepares students for
their evidence-based quality improvement projects.
Based on degrees awarded, the USF College of Nursing has the largest graduate program
in the state.
For more information on the rankings, visit
USNews.com
.
Return to article listing
Category
Awards & Accolades
,
Current News
Explore More Categories
Alumni and Development
Awards and Honors
College News
Community Engagement
In the Media
Research and Innovation
Student Life
USF SafetyFlorida
About Department News
USF Health College of Nursing News highlights the great work of our trailblazing faculty, staff, and students! The College of Nursing is an integral part of USF Health and the University of South Florida. USF Health College of Nursing --
Where Nursing Trailblazers Belong!