UNC School of Nursing graduate programs continue to earn top rankings
April 7, 2026
The UNC School of Nursing’s graduate programs continue to rank among the nation’s best, with its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program ranking No. 12 (tied) overall — placing Carolina Nursing among the top five public schools of nursing in the nation — and the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner specialty ranking No. 9 according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings.
“Carolina Nursing’s graduate programs are consistently ranked among the best nationwide, demonstrating our commitment to innovative curriculum, academic excellence, and visionary expertise that advances health for all and serves the public good,” said Valerie Howard, dean of the UNC School of Nursing. “These rankings also reflect the exceptional caliber of our talented students, faculty and staff who lead transformative research and education efforts that shape the health of our state, nation and world.”
UNC’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program ranked 16th (tied) overall, with the DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health program tied for No. 9 and the DNP Family Nurse Practitioner specialty tied for No. 15.
Last year, all MSN and DNP programs, including all nurse practitioner options and all post-graduate certificate programs, shifted from fully in-person to a hybrid distance-based model that combines online and on-site learning with in-person clinical components. The move, part of a strategic plan for enrollment growth, opened the doors for students statewide to benefit from the exceptional education offered at Carolina Nursing while providing the flexibility needed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled nursing professionals.
This also allowed the School to expand enrollment in the 2025-26 academic year by an unprecedented 13% across its programs, enrolling 667 students compared to 591 the previous year, with a 300% growth in the MSN and DNP programs alone last year. This growth reflects the School’s commitment to proactively addressing the state’s critical nursing shortage while continuing to provide Carolina Nursing students with unmatched learning opportunities and wraparound support services that ensure the continued excellence of a Carolina nursing education.
Full rankings are available at the U.S. News and World Report website.
Carolina Nursing’s Top-Ranked Programs
MSN
Overall: No. 12 (tie)
Online Nursing Administration and Leadership: No. 3 (tie)
Family Nurse Practitioner: No. 9
DNP
Overall: No. 16 (tie)
Psychiatric-Mental Health: No. 9 (tie)
Family Nurse Practitioner: No. 15 (tie)
Undergraduate
- Tied for 1st public and 4th overall
About the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing
Established in 1950, the UNC School of Nursing is part of a cutting-edge, research-intensive university with top-ranked schools of medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry and social work located just steps away and adjacent to the renowned UNC Hospitals.
A globally top-ranked public school of nursing, Carolina Nursing provides a diverse, energetic and collegial environment for participating in world-class interprofessional education, scientific inquiry and practice opportunities. The school offers BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD degree programs, as well as post-graduate certificate programs.
As a leading provider of bedside nurses and nurse practitioners, educators, researchers and leaders devoted to public health and access, the UNC School of Nursing is uniquely positioned to serve the front lines of the most pressing health care challenges we face today.
For more information, visit nursing.unc.edu.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
