MSN, DNP programs rank No. 1 in Alabama

By Laura Gasque

The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing is Alabama’s powerhouse nursing school, ranking No. 1 in the state for both the Master of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, as reflected in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings, universally recognized as the leading academic program rankings for colleges and universities. Overall, the MSN program ranks No. 8 in the nation, up two spots from the previous year, and the DNP program ranks No. 9 nationally, up one spot from last year. Nine graduate specialties also rank among the best in the nation.

Compared to other public schools and colleges of nursing in the country, the MSN program ranks No. 3, and the DNP program ranks No. 5.

"To have both our MSN and DNP programs ranked in the top 10 nationally is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN. “As Alabama’s No. 1 ranked nursing school, we are leading the way in the state and in the nation in competency based education, groundbreaking research, health care access and innovation.”

“Year after year we continue raise the bar of excellence, and our programs reflect the rigor, quality and reputation of the School’s academics,” said University Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The passion to excel is evident every day at the School, and I am so proud that the great work of our faculty, staff, students and alumni is being recognized nationally.”

The School’s DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway climbed ten spots to No. 9 and is the highest ranked pathway in Alabama. The School’s pathway is one of only seven programs in the nation with full accreditation status by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists. The pathway also has expanded its enrollment once again, recognizing the demand for nurse anesthesia providers in Alabama and across the country. The incoming 2026 cohort will include 68 students, following last year’s increase from 55 to 65.

In its first year of eligibility, the School’s Master of Science in Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Pathway ranks No. 16 in the country. Recently, the pathway earned the maximum five-year initial accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, a recognition of ACME’s rigorous standards for teaching excellence and academic quality. As the only ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery education pathway in Alabama, this achievement marked a pivotal advancement for women’s health in the state and across the region. The School relaunched the MSN Nurse-Midwifery Pathway in 2022 due to the increased statewide demand for highly qualified maternal-infant health care providers.

“Each of these rankings reflects what becomes possible when we unite around a common mission—educating nurse leaders who transform health and health care in their communities through innovations in education, practice and research,” Shirey said. “At our powerhouse nursing school, leadership is in our DNA.”

Powerhouse rankings and achievements

The UAB School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program continues to be recognized among the top in the nation, maintaining its ranking of No. 13 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “America’s Best Colleges.” The program also holds the No. 1 ranking in Alabama. This year, the School is expanding to launch a summer BSN cohort, a strategic effort to address workforce needs and support a greater number of students pursuing nursing careers. The School will admit BSN students year-round, with most graduates accepting positions and practicing in Alabama.

The School also recently 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.

In recognition of its commitment to innovative, experiential learning, the School’s Blazer Simulation was endorsed by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning through 2028. The School also has earned three National League for Nursing Center of Excellence designations, including two within the past two years. In 2024, the School was recognized for its exceptional faculty teaching expertise, followed by a 2025 designation for creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development.