- The University of Florida College of Nursing ranked No. 12 nationally among 671 BSN programs in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
- The college's ranking jumped 28 spots from last year and it is the first Florida nursing program in the national top 15.
- The college reported its largest BSN enrollment ever, with over 300 students this fall, and has been Florida's top-ranked BSN program for six years.
The University of Florida’s College of Nursing recently reached a historic milestone, ranking No. 12 nationally among 671 undergraduate nursing programs in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.
“This is a historic moment for the University of Florida College of Nursing, for our Gator Nurses, and for the entire state of Florida!” Dr. Shakira Henderson, dean and chief administrative officer for the UF College of Nursing, told Mainstreet. “This is a powerful affirmation of what happens when extraordinary faculty, students, staff, leadership and clinical partners come together around a shared purpose to transform the future of nursing.”
According to a UF College of Nursing press release, the No. 12 ranking – a jump of 28 spots from last year (No. 40 nationally) – places the college among the top 2% of nursing programs in the country. It’s also the College of Nursing’s highest-ever ranking and is the first time a Florida nursing program has ranked among the nation’s top 15.
“Our goal was to build a nursing college so exceptional in its outcomes, student experiences and contributions to health care that national recognition would follow,” Henderson said. “To be the first nursing program in Florida to reach the national top 15, as reflected in this ranking, makes this achievement even more meaningful. It demonstrates that Florida can help lead the nation in nursing education.”
Introduced in 2022, the release said U.S. News & World Report’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) rankings “are based on peer assessment surveys of academics and officials at nursing schools or departments.”
In addition to cracking the top 15 nationally, the College of Nursing’s BSN program remained No. 1 in Florida among public and private schools, maintaining its spot as the state’s highest-ranked BSN program for six straight years.
The college said the jump in the national rankings comes as it continues to grow its undergraduate programs, increase enrollment and strengthen clinical education. This fall, the College of Nursing reported its largest number of students ever in its BSN program, with more than 300.
“We are seeing tremendous interest from students who want more than a nursing degree. They want an education that prepares them to make a difference, provides meaningful clinical experiences and opens doors to leadership, advanced practice, research and innovation,” Henderson said. “Our reputation for academic excellence, outstanding licensure outcomes, strong UF Health partnerships and expanding scholarship opportunities makes UF an increasingly attractive destination.”
This latest achievement for the College of Nursing comes during a milestone year for the college. In addition to celebrating its 70th anniversary, the College of Nursing also commemorated 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.
While acknowledging that the No. 12 ranking is a monumental achievement, Henderson said it’s not the College of Nursing’s “finish line.” Rather, she said she sees the recognition “as an invitation to dream even bigger.”
“Our vision for the future of nursing is focused on expanding access to education, reimagining clinical training and preparing nurses to shape the future of health care,” Henderson said. “We want to help remove financial barriers and create more immersive, real-world learning experiences. We also see tremendous opportunities to strengthen partnerships across Florida and beyond, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Ultimately, our goal is to prepare nurses who will lead change and improve the health of the communities we serve.”
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.