UMSON Again Earns Top National Rankings in 2026 U.S. News Best Online Programs
January 27, 2026
Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing's (UMSON) has once again earned national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s newly released “2026 Best Online Programs.”
UMSON’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Leadership and Management (NLM) specialty tied at No. 5 nationwide for the second year in a row and is ranked No. 2 among public institutions in the Nursing Administration/Leadership category, continuing its long‑standing position among the country’s top programs.
The School also advanced in two categories: the overall Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs, rising to No. 72 (tied) from No. 81 (tied) last year, and the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for Veterans, moving up to No. 24 from No. 26 in 2025. Among public schools of nursing, UMSON is ranked No. 16 nationwide in the veterans category.
“We are thrilled to be recognized nationally for our MSN Nursing Leadership and Management specialty,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD '11, MS '05, BSN '04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
The U.S. News rankings represent the most respected and in-depth evaluation of U.S. graduate programs that are designed to be administered online. UMSON is among the 201 nursing schools ranked.
The publication’s rankings are based on indicators such as student and faculty engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student excellence, and peer assessment, using data collected directly from each institution. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions are considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners.
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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.