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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire an MSN (master of science in nursing), but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best MSN programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University has several master’s in nursing degrees for current and future nurses. The entry-into-nursing MSN offers learners with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing the chance to enter the field. At the same time, dual MSN/MPH and MSN/MBA programs combine public health and business coursework with advanced-level nursing classwork. Johns Hopkins MSN in health systems management gives nurses the tools to utilize and develop pioneering technology-based practices.

2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

The master of science in nursing program at the University of Pennsylvania gives learners several concentrations intended to engage individual interests and advance professional objectives. Practicing nurses can incorporate classwork in one of the numerous minors that Penn has to augment the MSN degree. Learners interested nursing management also have the chance to work on degrees in healthcare leadership and healthcare administration to advance in non-clinical settings. Candidates to Penn’s MSN programs need to have a BSN in the field. Penn’s nursing programs are sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

3. University of Washington, Seattle, WA

UW’s master of science in clinical informatics and patient-centered technologies contains 46 to 49 credit hours of classwork about the role of technology in patient care. Learners study the role of technology in clinical settings and across the healthcare sector while learning the concepts and application of technology utilize. Learners with healthcare experience benefit from real-life training in pioneering tools and practices to advance their careers, and all learners finish a scholarly project or thesis to demonstrate expertise development. Part-time learners can finish the MS-CIPCT degree in two years, while full-time learners can fulfill degree prerequisites in as few as 15 months.

4. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia has a master’s of science in a nursing degree program with 10 concentrations for established nurses. UVA’s MSN in nursing leadership has paths for entry into nursing and training leadership positions for practicing nurses. The UVA accepts only 90 candidates annually for their programs. Full-time learners can finish an MSN in two years; part-time learners normally meet degree prerequisites in three years. All of UVA’s nursing degrees are sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

5. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin’s master of science in nursing degree program offers learners knowledge to build nursing skills as entry-level learners and practicing nurses alike. The program delivers learners with two-year nursing degrees that incorporate advanced classwork on aspects of nursing. The three-year alternate entry MSN degree program introduces learners without a nursing background to nursing fundamentals before examining leadership, adult-health, and psychiatric concentrations. UT’s MSN degrees are sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

6. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) has a master of science in nursing program with 11 specialties and six subspecialties to learners that have a BSN. Subspecialties in oncology and nurse education give learners additional chances to tailor their degree to meet their individual and professional objectives. All of UAB’s MSN degrees give learners knowledge based on core nursing skills and deliver them with critical thinking and analytical skills applicable to the field. Candidates must pass a background check for admission. The UAB’s nursing degree program is sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

7. University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Customized to prepare registered nurses for advanced positions within the field of nursing, the RN to MSN degree program at the University of Maryland contains classwork on nursing fundamentals for learners that need to finish a BSN before advancing to MSN classes. By substituting the BSN coursework for core MSN classwork, registered nurse finish 31 credit hours of classwork before choosing one of three concentrations: community and public health, nursing informatics, and health services leadership and management. MSN curricula consist of 38 to 40 credit hours of advanced classwork offered online and on-campus. The UM’s RN to MSN degree program is sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

8. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan has a master’s in nursing degrees based in advanced clinical practice to learners that want to work on focused credentials in acute, primary, family, and midwifery care. Practicing nurse’s study assessment, diagnostics, therapeutic methods, and consultation methods to develop enhanced skills in patient care while simultaneously building leadership skills applicable to the field. Learners can also work on an MSN in systems, population, and leadership, emphasizing improving health outcomes across the human lifespan and in various community and social settings. The UM’s MSN degree program is sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the midwifery concentration is sanctioned by the Accrediting Body Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

9. Duke University, Raleigh, NC

Duke University has a master of science in nursing degrees in 11 focused areas, eight of which deliver advanced practice content for registered nurses. Three non-clinical degree paths accentuate nurse education, health informatics, and nursing and healthcare leadership for professionals that want to focus on the administrative and managerial aspect of nursing. All learners finish core classwork intended to meet the standards for various nursing licensures, including the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Advanced classes also deliver learners with chances to study nursing fields, including oncology, orthopedics, and cardiology. Duke’s programs are sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

10. New York University, New York, NY

The master’s degree program at New York University offers practicing nurses with advanced classwork to build knowledge and develop skills for professional growth and career enhancement. NYU’s MSN degree program contains concentrations in nine areas, including adult-gerontology primary and acute care, midwifery, nursing administration, and pediatric nurse practice. Learners can also concentrate on palliative care, holistic nursing, and substance abuse care, further tailoring the MSN to meet their needs and objectives. Combined with clinical placements, their programs give learners access to foundational information and experiential learning chances. Learners interested in community-based health practice, policy, and programming can enroll in the dual MSN/MPH degree program.

11. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

The University of Colorado’s master’s degree in nursing degree program contains nine concentrations, including family care, women’s health, pediatrics, and psychiatry, for practicing nurses to improve their expertise and further their careers. Five concentrations allow learners to work with underserved urban populations, adding valuable real-life experience to their degree. Classes incorporate multidisciplinary content, nursing theory, and evidence-based knowledge to build critical-thinking and analytical skills as learners learn best to meet the needs of their patients and communities. Candidates should have an unencumbered nursing license and a BSN in nursing with prerequisite classwork in statistics. Learners must also partake in an interview before admission. UC’s MSN degree program is sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the midwife MSN is sanctioned by the Accrediting Body Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

12. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University’s master of science in nursing degree program offers several entry chances for practicing nurses and non-nursing learners alike. The MSN also has practice specialties in acute and primary care. Learners can work on dual degrees in MSN and divinity or theological studies as well. Core classes give learners access to nursing fundamentals, and clinical placements offer experiential-learning chances for learners as they focus on an aspect of nursing. Learners in VU’s MSN degree program partake in block-scheduled classes, online conferencing, and other education delivery methods across their degree. Vanderbilt’s nursing degree program is sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

13. University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

The University of California Los Angeles has two master’s degrees, one for entry-level learners and one for advanced practice nursing professionals. The entry-level MSN readies learners with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing for careers in clinical nursing over a two-year coursework. The advanced MSN gives learners the chance to concentrate on clinical nursing or nurse practitioner classwork as they finish their degree. All MSN learners take core classes in nursing theory and practice, research methods, and healthcare management as they build critical-thinking and evidence-based analytical skills. Clinical practica deliver learners with experiential-learning intended to improve learning and facilitate future career chances. UCLA’s MSN degrees are endorsed by the California Board of Registered Nursing and sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

14. University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

The University of California San Francisco’s master of science in nursing readies nurses for enhanced roles as nurse professionals, clinical nurse specialists, midwives, and healthcare administrators. The UCSF offers concentrations in primary and acute care for adults and children, women’s health, public health, and psychiatric nursing for learners that want to work on individual interests while building professional chances. MSN learners can also finish minors in nine areas, including international health, palliative care, and rural health, to further focus their studies. All of UCSF’s MSN learners study theory, clinical practice, and research methods as they develop the skills needed to assess and implement patient care.

15. Yale University, New Haven, CT

Yale University’s master of science in nursing centers on clinical concentration, delivering learners with fields of study in adult-gerontology, family nursing, midwifery, pediatrics, and psychiatry. With each degree intended to meet the individual needs of the concentration, learners study theory, research, and practice relevant to their interests and professional objectives. During the second year, learners partake in seminars and real-life classwork to apply what they have learned. Full-time learners finish Yale’s MSN programs in two years; part-time learners successfully fulfill degree prerequisites in three years. Yale’s MSN degrees are sanctioned by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).