Leading forward through vision, impact, and excellence
This year, the Yale School of Nursing celebrates milestones that reflect not merely progress, but also transformation.
Our Master of Science in Nursing program has risen from No. 30 to No. 14, and our Doctor of Nursing Practice program has advanced from No. 47 to No. 16 in the recently released national rankings by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, our DNP in Leadership, Systems, and Policy is ranked No. 7 in the nation.
YSN’s success was also acknowledged by our being ranked #15 globally among 225 university schools of nursing by QS, and among schools based in the US, YSN ranked #7. QS compiles its ratings using data from 16.4 million academic papers and by gathering insights from more than 151,000 academics and 100,000 employers. The focus of QS ranking is on student experience, global partnerships, research opportunities, and the quality of teaching.
And a recent compilation of data by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research on NIH funding received during fiscal year 2025 placed YSN 12th in the country out of 85 nursing schools.
These numbers are significant. They deserve celebration.
But they are not the story.
They are the outcome of a deeper and more meaningful transformation—one built on vision, discipline, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
At YSN, rankings have never been the destination. They are the side effect of investing in what matters most: our mission, our people, and our impact on the future of health.
Over the past two years, we have undertaken bold and transformative changes across the school—academically, organizationally, structurally, and in research effectiveness. We began by listening carefully to our community and aligning ourselves around a shared vision for the future. From that foundation, we moved with clarity and purpose to reimagine how YSN teaches, leads, partners, and advances nursing science.
At the heart of this transformation has been our academic vision.
We have strengthened and modernized our curriculum to focus on health promotion, wellness, prevention, and the future determinants of health. We have introduced innovative and forward-looking concentrations, including Precision Wellness and Political Determinants of Health, ensuring that our graduates are prepared not only for today’s healthcare landscape, but for the world that is emerging before us.
Our students have recognized this momentum.
Enrollment has grown by more than 40 percent, a powerful testament to the confidence that students place in YSN as a leader in nursing education and leadership development.
At the same time, we have expanded and deepened our clinical and community partnerships, most notably with Yale New Haven Health System, while building strong local, national, and global collaborations that amplify our reach and relevance. These partnerships have strengthened clinical excellence, research translation, and workforce innovation.
YSN’s rise has also been fueled by our extraordinary faculty.
By strengthening faculty mentorship, enhancing research infrastructure, and investing in systems that support scholarly success, we have significantly increased research productivity and grant growth. This commitment to faculty excellence has elevated YSN’s national presence and academic reputation.
Our ascent is equally reflected in the strength of our scholarship and the confidence of our supporters.
Over this same period, research funding has increased by 159 percent, rising from $3.49 million to $9.04 million, a remarkable reflection of our growing research enterprise and the extraordinary work of our faculty.
At the same time, philanthropic support has grown by more than 190 percent, increasing from $3.91 million to nearly $12 million annually, demonstrating the confidence that alumni, friends, and partners have in YSN’s vision and future.
The launch of the Center for Aging Well stands as one of the defining expressions of this vision—a bold commitment to healthy aging, dementia prevention, wellness, and global leadership in one of the most urgent healthcare priorities of our time.
What we are witnessing today is not simply upward movement in rankings.
It is the visible reflection of a school that has aligned every resource, every initiative, and every decision with its mission and vision.
This is what happens when excellence is intentional.
This is what happens when innovation is mission-driven.
This is what happens when a community moves forward together.
YSN is on the ascent — not only in rankings, but in reputation, influence, scholarship, and impact.
And most important, we are only beginning.
The future of nursing leadership is being shaped here.
And YSN is leading the way.