UCLA School of Nursing’s MSN program jumps to #9 in latest U.S. News ranking

The UCLA School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing program is among the Top 10 graduate nursing programs in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Graduate Schools for 2025. The #9 ranking places UCLA Nursing’s MSN program alongside the school’s bachelor’s program – both now ranked as Top 10 programs nationally. 

“We are committed to our pursuit of excellence in nursing education, and we’re proud to see that recognized,” said Lin Zhan, Dean of the UCLA School of Nursing. “Having both our master’s and bachelor’s programs ranked among the top 10 is evidence of the dedication and excellence of our faculty, students, and staff in advancing nursing education and preparing the next generation of nurses to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to all.”

U.S. News & World Report included the school’s two MSN degree programs — the Master's Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) degree, designed to prepare students who possess a baccalaureate degree in another discipline for a nursing career – and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) program, which prepares nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists for national certification in specialty areas such as pediatrics and adult gerontology acute care.

To ensure UCLA’s role in meeting the healthcare needs of tomorrow as well as to align with the AACN New Essentials, the school is currently transitioning out of the APRN program after launching a its new Post BSN-DNP program. This new program will replace UCLA’s existing Doctor of Nursing Practice program. 

The School of Nursing tied for the #9 spot with New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing. UCLA’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program also saw a tremendous rise in this year’s rankings, jumping 15 spots to #27 in the country. 

U.S. News rankings are compiled based on surveys with deans and other top academic leaders at nearly 200 master's nursing programs across the country.