The University of Florida College of Nursing has earned the No. 12 spot among 671 undergraduate nursing programs nationwide in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, placing the college among the top 2% in the country. The historic achievement is the College of Nursing’s highest-ever ranking and marks the first time a nursing program in Florida has ranked among the nation’s top 15.
The College’s bachelor’s degree program also remains No. 1 in Florida among public and private nursing schools, extending its run as the state’s highest-ranked BSN program for the last six years.
The rise in rankings comes as the College of Nursing continues to expand its undergraduate programs, increase enrollment and strengthen clinical education. The college welcomed the largest number of students ever to its BSN program, with more than 300 this fall.
The college has also expanded opportunities for students to gain more meaningful hands-on experience through UF Health.
“Moving into the top 15 nationally is a significant milestone for our college and a reflection of the work our faculty, staff and students are doing every day,” said Shakira Henderson, DNP, MS, MPH, MBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, dean, chief administrative officer and Linda Harman Aiken Chair of the UF College of Nursing, as well as system chief nurse executive and associate vice president for nursing education, practice and research for UF Health.
“Our continued growth is grounded in preparing nurses who are ready to care for patients, lead in healthcare and contribute to the future of the profession,” she said.
The latest recognition comes during a milestone year for the College of Nursing, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The college also marked 10 years of its Accelerated BSN program and its academic nursing partnership at UF Health Jacksonville, as well as 25 years of UF Health Archer Family Health Care, the college’s nurse-led rural health practice.
The rankings provide another measure of the college’s progress as it works toward the goals outlined in its Elevate 2029 strategic plan, including national recognition as the nation’s No. 1 nursing college.
U.S. News & World Report’s BSN rankings were introduced in 2022 and are based on peer-assessment surveys of academics and officials at nursing schools or departments.