Two master’s specialties and online bachelor’s programs also rank among the nation’s top five
U.S. News & World Report released new rankings today that place The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online Master of Science in Nursing program No. 1 in the nation for 2026.
The top ranking for the online master’s degree in nursing is complemented by top-five rankings for two specialty programs. Ohio State’s Family Nurse Practitioner specialty ranks No. 3 overall and No. 1 among public institutions, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty ranks No. 5 overall and No. 3 among public institutions.
This marks the 12th consecutive year Ohio State’s online master’s degree in nursing has ranked among the nation’s top six programs of its kind. U.S. News & World Report ranks online master’s programs based on student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student excellence and peer assessment.
“Every day, we come to work dedicated to supporting our students in answering their calling to care. And every day, our faculty, staff, alumni, preceptors and partners give so much of themselves to make it happen,” said Karen Rose, PhD, RN, FGSA, FNAP, FAAN, dean and professor of the College of Nursing. “We see these rankings as confirmation that we are delivering on our promise to prepare confident, competent nurses and leaders who will change health care for the better to benefit all people.”
U.S. News & World Report also released new rankings for online bachelor’s programs, measuring student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology and peer assessment. Ohio State’s online bachelor’s programs — for which the College of Nursing’s RN to BSN program comprises the highest enrollment — rank No. 4 in the nation, up from No. 5 last year.
“Our popular RN to BSN program engages working nurses in a flexible setting so that they can continue to care for patients at the bedside while augmenting their knowledge and leadership under the guidance of our faculty,” said Rebecca Lorenz, PhD, RN, senior associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation and associate professor in the College of Nursing. “We are so proud to be a conduit for evidence-based health care practitioners to learn and grow so that they can improve patient outcomes and population health wherever they go.”
