YSN on Ascent

April 7, 2026

This year, we celebrate a moment of extraordinary pride for the Yale School of Nursing.

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 US News & World Report (USN&WR).

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.

While these rankings are indeed a milestone worth celebrating, I want to be clear: they are not the destination. They are the outcome. They are the visible result of what our community has worked tirelessly to build over the past two years—a school grounded in purpose, strengthened by excellence, and propelled by vision.

At YSN, we did not set out to chase rankings. We set out to build impact. We committed ourselves to transformative change across every dimension of our school: academically, organizationally, structurally, and in research effectiveness. We listened deeply, aligned around our mission, and made deliberate decisions to ensure that every investment, every initiative, and every partnership moved us closer to the future we envision for nursing education and leadership.

That future begins with our students. We have reimagined our curriculum to place an even sharper focus on health promotion, wellness, prevention, and the social and political forces that shape health outcomes. By launching innovative and forward-thinking concentrations such as Precision Wellness and Political Determinants of Health, we are preparing nurse leaders not only to respond to today’s challenges, but to lead the transformation of healthcare for generations to come.

The response has been extraordinary. Enrollment has grown by more than 40 percent, reflecting the trust that students place in YSN as a destination for excellence, leadership, and innovation.

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.

These investments are not simply financial milestones. They are expressions of trust in our mission, in our leadership, and in the transformative role nursing plays in shaping the future of health.

We have also strengthened and expanded our clinical and community partnerships in powerful ways, most notably through our work with Yale New Haven Health System, while building new collaborations across local communities, national networks, and global platforms. These partnerships have deepened our impact and strengthened the bridge between education, research, and practice.

At the same time, we have invested deeply in our faculty. By strengthening mentorship, building a more robust Office of Research, and creating structures that support faculty success, we have significantly increased research productivity and scholarly impact. This investment in our people is essential, because excellence begins with those who teach, discover, mentor, and lead.

One of the most exciting milestones in this journey has been the establishment of the Center for Aging Well, which reflects our commitment to prevention, wellness, dementia research, and healthy aging—areas of urgent importance for the future of healthcare worldwide.

What these rankings affirm is something we already knew: YSN is rising because we have chosen to lead with clarity, courage, and mission. This ascent is not accidental. It is the result of strategic vision, collective effort, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

I am immensely proud of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners who have made this possible. Together, we are not simply moving upward. We are shaping the future of nursing. And we are only just beginning.

Azita Emami
Dean, Yale School of Nursing