UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the first time, the Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing has earned national recognition in the latest U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, at No. 64.
Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond college, U.S. News' "Best Graduate Schools" rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing.
“Being nationally ranked for the first time marks an exciting beginning for our DNP program," said Vinciya Pandian, associate dean for graduate education. “It affirms the quality of our faculty, students, and academic offering — and sets the stage for where we’re headed. Our goal is to rise in the rankings by continuing to invest in academic innovation, faculty excellence, research, and student outcomes. At Penn State, we are committed to preparing nurse leaders who drive transformation across healthcare.”
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s DNP program offers a variety of specialized options, enabling nurses to pursue advanced preparation with precision. The DNP-Leadership option prepares students for roles in leadership across the healthcare spectrum, ensuring they possess the skills to lead their organization and health care into the next generation. The DNP-Nurse Practitioner option includes four specialty tracks: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology, Primary Care Adult-Gerontology, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, and Psychiatric-Mental Health. The DNP-Nurse Practitioner program is designed to ensure advanced practice nurses are prepared to provide the highest level of patient care while translating ongoing research to practice with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and enhanced health outcomes.
In response to national needs in healthcare education, Pandian said, the college plans to launch a DNP-Nurse Educator program in Fall 2025 to prepare nurses to lead in academic settings and educate future generations of nurses.
This year’s national ranking reflects a growing recognition of the DNP program’s strength, Pandian said, adding that the college views this milestone as a foundation to build upon, with a strategic focus on growth in academic quality, research productivity and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through innovative curriculum, robust clinical partnerships, and a commitment to improving care delivery, Nese College of Nursing is creating opportunities for nurses to lead at every level of health care.
The rankings are based on a weighted average of 15 indicators. Factors include research activity, faculty resources, program selectivity, and a peer assessment in which various nursing school Deans ranked other accredited programs against each other. The total dollar amount of grants from the National Institute of Health, the number of faculty who are actively practicing nursing, faculty to student ratios, and health care professionals’ assessments of each program’s quality on a scale of marginal to outstanding, all contributed to the overall ranking.
By collecting graduate school data annually, U.S. News is able to present the most current figures on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students make informed decisions.
"The 2025 Best Graduate rankings are more than numbers; they guide students to determine pathways that align with their goals," said LaMont Jones, senior editor of Education at U.S. News. "When students have substantial data and options, they can make informed decisions to generate transformative life opportunities. U.S. News rankings and data leads students to find the perfect program where they can flourish."
About the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is one of the most comprehensive colleges of nursing in any public university in the country. With over $17 million in research expenditures since the college’s inception in 2013, the college has been awarded over $8 million for gerontology research, over $4 million for the development of a sexual assault forensic examination telehealth center (SAFE-T Center), and approximately $1.5 million to support clinical and translational science. Recognized a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing in recognition of the college’s commitment to the investment in its faculty, Penn State Nursing is poised to support you throughout your time on its faculty and beyond.
With over 2,100 undergraduate and approximately 200 graduate students, the college’s footprint is worldwide, with faculty creating immeasurable experiences for students around the globe. The college offers a robust portfolio of degree programs spanning the undergraduate and graduate levels, ensuring the next generation of nurses have a variety of pathways to practice. The Nese College of Nursing enjoys the distinction of being the only named nursing school in the Big 10. Being fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with programmatic approval from the State Board of Nursing, the Nese College of Nursing is a premier educator for nurses across the Commonwealth.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a global leader in journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policymakers to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.