By Laura Gasque
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is ranked No. 6 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The state’s powerhouse nursing school continues to be the No. 1 ranked in Alabama, a position it has held since the publication began ranking BSN programs in 2021.
“Being recognized among the nation’s top schools of nursing is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the extraordinary people who make the UAB School of Nursing exceptional,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FNAP, FACHE, FAAN. “This ranking affirms the high-quality education, innovative learning experiences and comprehensive support our students receive as they prepare to lead and transform healthcare. It also recognizes the dedication of our faculty and staff, whose expertise, mentorship and commitment to excellence create an environment where students thrive. Achievements like this reflect our collective impact on the nursing profession and the nursing workforce and advance our vision of being the premier school of nursing, producing innovative leaders who are committed to transforming health and healthcare.”
This year, the School has continued to grow its BSN programs to help meet Alabama’s nursing workforce needs, expanding to launch a summer BSN cohort—a strategic effort to support a greater number of students pursuing nursing careers. The School now admits BSN students year-round, with most graduates accepting positions and practicing in Alabama.
Did you know?
- 19% of all BSN graduates in the state of Alabama are UAB School of Nursing graduates
- 94% of BSN graduates from the 2024–2025 academic year stayed to launch their nursing careers in Alabama
- The School has earned multiple National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence designations, validating the excellence of a UAB nurse
“This recognition is a testament to our exceptional faculty, whose expertise, innovation and dedication have created an outstanding learning environment where our students can grow and excel,” said Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Prelicensure Education Katie Parris, DNP, RN, CNE. “Our faculty and staff are deeply invested in student success, providing the knowledge, mentorship, hands-on experiences and support that prepare graduates to enter the profession with confidence. When our students leave UAB, they are not only ready to excel as nurses, but they also are equipped to lead with compassion, improve health outcomes and make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.”
U.S. News evaluates programs based on a combination of factors, including accreditation, peer institutions and more. In their 2026 “Best Graduate Schools” rankings, the School’s Master of Science in Nursing ranked No. 8 in the nation, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice ranked No. 9. Nine graduate specialties also rank among the best in the nation. All also are No. 1 ranked in Alabama.
The School also earned a spot at the top of the National Institutes of Health funding rankings for U.S. Schools of Nursing, as published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The School ranks No. 11 overall and is the top ranked nursing school in Alabama, with more than $8.8 million in NIH research funding for fiscal year 2025 and an annual total of more than $18 million in grant funding overall. The School ranks No. 7 in the nation among public schools of nursing and has ranked among the top 20 nursing schools for NIH funding since 2017.
“Across education, practice and research, our powerhouse nursing school is helping to blaze a brighter future in Alabama and across the country,” Shirey said. “I am so proud to be a UAB Blazer.”
