U.S. News & World Report Ranks ǿ޴ý Among 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools

ǿ޴ý’s Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs recognized

ǿ޴ý campus

DECATUR, Ill. – has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools national list, released on April 25, for its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. 

" continues its long history of excellence in nursing education and its reputation is reflected in the recognition received in these rankings," Director of the ǿ޴ý School of Nursing Dr. Elizabeth Gephart said. "Through our Performance Learning opportunities and partnerships with local healthcare providers, our graduates are prepared and highly sought after for either entry or advanced practice roles. The faculty and staff are to be praised for their commitment to providing quality programs that deliver on the promise of education to our students.”

School of Nursing


Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond college, the annual rankings highlight the nation's top graduate programs.

ǿ޴ý University's MSN program was listed among the 184 top Master's Nursing programs nationally and was ranked ninth among all schools in Illinois.

ǿ޴ý University's DNP program was listed among the 169 top DNP Nursing programs nationally and was ranked seventh among all schools in Illinois.

The Graduate School of Nursing at ǿ޴ý is renowned for excellence in education, clinical practice and research while creating a uniquely integrated academic experience in which faculty and students engage in a culture of discovery.

The offers graduate courses leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree for those nurses who want to advance their careers beyond the baccalaureate level. ǿ޴ý's MSN program offers two options: Nurse Educator (NE) and Master's Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP). The Nurse Educator option requires applicants to be a BSN-prepared registered nurse, while the MENP program is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree and are interested in entering the nursing field.

ǿ޴ý's Doctor of Nursing Practice is a practice-focused doctorate designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to lead evidence-based practice changes to improve patient outcomes in complex healthcare systems. The DNP program is available to registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing degree.

ǿ޴ý DNP options include:

  • BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia
  • BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP Completion
Nursing Simulation Lab

Campbell Family Nursing Simulation Lab

To continue ǿ޴ý’s reputation of first-class nursing education, ǿ޴ý has begun a three-phase project to enhance and modernize the School of Nursing facilities and technology. Recently, ǿ޴ý received a gift for the project from former Nursing Student Susan Campbell and the new lab will be named the Campbell Family Nursing Simulation Lab. Additionally, ǿ޴ý has received a $2 million federal grant to construct the state-of-the-art simulation lab, including four simulation rooms, supporting control rooms, two debriefing rooms, a health assessment lab, and several faculty offices.