AU Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences among top 100 private nursing schools

01/15/2021 ASHLAND, Ohio -- The Ashland University Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences was ranked as one of the top 100 private nursing schools nationwide in the 2020 rankings of best U.S. Nursing Schools released by the Nursing Schools Almanac.

In addition to its ranking as the 93rd best school nationwide among private nursing schools, Ashland University’s College of Nursing was ranked 33rd overall in the Great Lakes region and fifth overall in the state of Ohio.

“We are very pleased with the College of Nursing’s selection as a top 100 private school nationwide as well as 33rd overall in the Great Lakes Region and fifth overall in the state of Ohio,” said Dr. Carrie Keib, dean of the College. “This prestigious, national recognition for the Schar College reaffirms our commitment to educational excellence from our outstanding faculty as well as the opportunities and experiences we offer all of our students.”

Christopher McMillen, editor-in-chief of Nursing Schools Almanac, said the almanac collected data on more than 3,000 institutions, and then ranked these institutions by their academic prestige, program breadth and depth, and student success on nursing licensure examinations.

“Only 6 percent made the list of the best public and private nursing schools in the nation and I'm very pleased to share that we've included Ashland University on this list,” McMillen said.

The Dwight Schar College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Ashland University has nearly a dozen nursing program offerings. Undergraduates may choose from four BSN tracks, including traditional, advanced entry, accelerated second degree, and online RN-to-BSN.

AU’s three-year average NCLEX-RN pass rate for the pre-licensure BSN program tracks is 93.82 percent. The FNP certification pass rate for the DNP FNP track is 100 percent. At the graduate level, Ashland offers both BSN and MS/MSN entry points for its DNP program. Students entering post-BSN may specialize in family nurse practitioner or health systems leadership, while those entering post-MS/MSN may specialize in advanced practice nursing or health systems leadership. The college also offers certificates for aspiring school nurses and nurse educators. All graduate programs are offered online.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.###