By Pareasa Rahimi
The University of Alabama at Birmingham 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.
“We are proud to be ranked among the top programs in the country year after year,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FNAP, FACHE, FAAN. “It speaks to the impact our program continues to have on nursing education and health care delivery. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to preparing nurses who lead with compassion and skill, and who make a lasting difference in their communities.”
U.S. News evaluates programs based on a combination of factors, including accreditation, peer institutions and more. The School’s MSN and DNP programs also are consistently highly ranked by U.S. News, and boast four graduate specialties ranked in the top 10 for 2025. Additionally, the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway is No. 19 and the highest ranked program in Alabama.
“This national recognition reflects the strength of our academic programs and the exceptional work of our faculty, staff and students,” said Assistant Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Prelicensure Education Katie Parris, DNP, RN, CNE. “It is a testament to the School’s dedication to empowering students to enter the profession with confidence to meaningfully contribute to today’s dynamic health care environment.”
More than one in four nursing graduates in the state of Alabama, across all programs, have earned their degrees from the UAB School of Nursing since 2016. 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 received a second designation as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence in September 2024, distinguishing itself for the teaching expertise of faculty. The School received its first designation as an NLN Center of Excellence in 2017, cited for sustained efforts to enhance student learning and professional development. In alignment with national standards, the School also has revised and implemented a new curriculum based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials, ensuring students are prepared through competency- and simulation-based education.