Baylor Undergraduate Academic Programs, Experiences Move Up in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best College Rankings
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) is pleased to share the news of its placement in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) rankings as well as other Baylor ranking highlights. LHSON’s undergraduate nursing program is now at No. 39 in the U.S. News national rankings, moving up from No. 58.
“We are honored to be listed among distinguished nursing programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report,” said Dean Linda Plank, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing. Exemplifying our motto, Learn.Lead.Serve.® it is the steadfast mission of the LHSON to educate and prepare both baccalaureate and graduate-level nurses within a Christian community for professional practice, healthcare leadership, and worldwide service.“
One of the top highlights in this year’s U.S. News rankings is how well Baylor scored across the board among in the “Programs to Look For” category. U.S. News defines these as well-regarded academic programs that, research shows, are linked to student success and positive learning outcomes while fostering a successful undergraduate student experience. These program rankings came from college presidents, provosts and admission deans who were asked to name the top standout schools in each category. Baylor made major strides forward in these categories:
• No. 10 for First-year Experience for building into the curriculum first-year seminars or other academic programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty or staff on a regular basis.
• No. 16 for Learning Communities for providing students the opportunity to live with peers in a residential living-learning center who share a common academic interest or hobby.
• No. 16 for Best Undergraduate Teaching for strong commitment by faculty and administrators to teaching undergraduate students in a high-quality manner.
• No. 20 for Most Innovative Schools for making the most innovative improvements towards curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.
• No. 21 for Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects for providing opportunities for intensive and self-directed research or creative work, typically mentored by a faculty member, that results in an original scholarly paper or other product that can be formally presented on or off campus.
• No. 46 for Best Colleges for Veterans for participation in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members access an affordable college education.
For the 11th consecutive year, Baylor is the No. 2 ranked university in the Big 12 and among the top five in Texas at No. 77, behind only Rice (No. 15), the University of Texas at Austin (No. 38), Texas A&M (No. 67) and SMU (No. 72) and ahead of TCU (No. 89), Kansas (No. 121), Iowa State and Oklahoma (No. 127), the University of Texas at Dallas (No. 151), Kansas State (No. 166), Oklahoma State (No. 182), Texas Tech (No. 219) and West Virginia (No. 234). Baylor was one point away from a No. 72 ranking and two points away from No. 67 due to ties.
Additionally, for the 11th time, Baylor University has attained elite Honor Roll status as a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For, according to a new survey by The Great Colleges to Work For program. The results released at GreatCollegesList.com and in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education on Sept. 16, are based on a survey of 212 colleges and universities. In all, 68 of the 212 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices. Baylor is among only 42 institutions named to the Honor Roll as the standouts in their size categories. Baylor is included in the large university category with 10,000 or more students. Baylor employs more than 3,000 faculty and staff.
About Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) located in Dallas, Texas, was established in 1909 as a diploma program within Baylor Hospital in Dallas, which is now Baylor Scott & White Health’s Baylor University Medical Center, and in 1950 became one of the six degree-granting schools of Baylor University. The first Baccalaureate degrees were granted in 1952, establishing the School among the earliest baccalaureate nursing programs in Texas. In 1999, the School was renamed the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing after Louise Herrington Ornelas, a 1992 Baylor Alumna Honoris Causa, who made an endowment gift to the School. The LHSON offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees through Traditional, FastBacc® (one-year accelerated) and Distance Accelerated BSN programs. Plus, the LHSON offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with tracks that include Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Leadership and U.S. Army Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN). The U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings include several LHSON programs, including the DNP program at No. 60 nationally and “Best Nursing” specialty rankings for LHSON’s USAGPAN, which operates at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, at No. 8 nationally, and Baylor’s Nurse-Midwifery program, which is No. 21 in the nation. In addition, U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs ranked the LHSON No. 39. Learn more: www.baylor.edu/nursing
About Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.