UR Nursing Lands at No. 21 in National Ranking of Master’s Programs

The University of Rochester School of Nursing has been ranked No. 21 among U.S. nursing schools for its master’s programs, according to the 2024-25 Best Graduate Schools guide produced by U.S. News and World Report. Designed for prospective students looking to advance their nursing education, the Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs based on academic quality and research success.  

“We are incredibly proud of the recent rankings that highlight the excellence of our master’s programs,” said Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN. “While we are pleased with these results, they are just one measure of our ongoing progress and dedication to shaping the future of nursing. We continue to focus our efforts on equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive in their careers while providing flexible ways to study as practicing nurses.”  

The No. 1 program in Upstate New York for five years, the UR School of Nursing is one of only two institutions in the state — and the only one outside of New York City — ranked in the top 30 for its master’s programs. It features one of the oldest and most prominent nurse practitioner programs in the country and currently enrolls nearly 300 students across six NP specialties and degree concentrations in nursing education and leadership. 

The recent rankings feature an increased emphasis on program size, research activity, student excellence, and faculty resources while reducing emphasis on reputation from previous year’s rankings.
 
"Our faculty's expertise and the high quality clinical and experiential learning that our programs offer have been instrumental in the success of our master's nursing programs,” said Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, associate dean for education and student affairs. “Our faculty’s commitment to educational excellence combined with strong academic-practice partnerships enriches our learning environment. Working closely with our students and an extensive network of clinical partners, we are redefining nursing education to prepare our master’s graduates for the challenges of tomorrow's health care." 

Other metrics considered in the rankings include student to faculty ratio and percentages of faculty with important academic achievements in the nursing profession and who are active in nursing practice. About 86 percent of faculty at the UR School of Nursing actively practice in various clinical settings.

In addition to smaller class sizes and guaranteed clinical placements – in the UR Medicine system and other health care facilities across New York – master’s students can access one-on-one faculty support on career planning, writing, or test-taking through the school’s Center for Academic & Professional Success. UR Nursing master’s students hold an average 3.74 GPA from their undergraduate program and, in 2022, more than 90 percent of students successfully passed their national certification exam on the first try. 
 
Prospective students can review master's programs offered by the UR School of Nursing, and read how the school compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.  

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