Loyola Nursing achieves top BSN ranking

By Ashley Rowland

Sept. 22, 2026

 

The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing maintained its status as one of the nation's top nursing schools with a #19 ranking for its undergraduate program from U.S. News & World Report.  

The new ranking, released September 22, places Loyola Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program among the top 3 percent of BSN programs in the country and sixth among private universities. 

"Our BSN program continues to be ranked among the nation's best year after year," said Dean Lorna Finnegan. "We're proud to be recognized for our commitment to academic excellence and to Loyola's Jesuit mission, which calls us to prepare compassionate, highly skilled nurses to advance health equity across all communities." 

Since U.S. News began ranking BSN programs, the school has ranked in the top 5 percent or higher nationally every year.

"Our consistently high ranking is a sign of sustained excellence and the high caliber of our BSN program," she added.  

The #19 ranking comes at a time of growth and transformation for Loyola Nursing.  

The school welcomed its largest-ever BSN class this fall, with more than 400 students enrolling from across the country. That represents an increase in first-year enrollment of nearly 54 percent in two years; the school also received a record number of applications for the Class of 2030. 

Meanwhile, construction is underway on a new building on Loyola's Lake Shore Campus that will house the BSN program. The state-of-the-art facility will include one of the nation's largest simulation labs and provide additional classroom and gathering spaces.  

The influx of BSN students—along with more than a dozen new faculty and staff this fall—are bringing fresh energy and ideas to the school as its enrollment and physical footprint expand.

"There's a tremendous sense of momentum at Loyola Nursing and we're excited to have these new students, faculty, and staff be part of it," Finnegan said.