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EduMed.org ranks the best schools for online programs in nursing & allied health for 2025MTSU Online News

EduMed.org has ranked the nation’s top schools for online learning in nursing and allied health for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.

EduMed.org, a leader in student-focused college and career information online, has released its annual rankings of the top schools for online degrees and certificates in nursing and allied health. The rankings include more than 100 health-related subjects and cover program levels from entry-level diplomas through advanced doctorate degrees. Middle Tennessee State University’s programs offer the best combinations of quality, affordability, online learning and student outcomes.

Take a look at the full rankings to see where MTSU placed:

Best Online MSN Programs in Tennessee – https://www.edumed.org/online-schools/nursing-rn-programs/masters-msn/tennessee/

Best Online Nursing Programs in Tennessee – https://www.edumed.org/online-schools/nursing-rn-programs/tennessee/#four-year-rankings

“This year, we enhanced our methodology by adding new data points for students to consider, particularly those focused on student outcomes,” said Wes Harris Ricketts, founder of EduMed.org. “Our goal was to highlight the schools that truly set their students up for success – both academically and beyond. This involved a much closer examination of key factors such as graduation rates, timely program completion and post-graduation career placement services.”

EduMed’s shift to more outcome-driven rankings comes at a time when the topic of nursing student attrition remains front-and-center. According to the National League for Nursing (NLN), the nationwide dropout rate for baccalaureate nursing programs is between 20 and 25 percent. In California, the Board of Registered Nursing reported an average 10 percent attrition rate statewide for BSN programs in 2022, with some schools exceeding 50 percent.

“These challenges are not exclusive to nursing,” said Ricketts. “Students in other health-related fields often face similar struggles. Reducing attrition begins with making education more affordable, accessible and student-centered. Schools that go the extra mile by offering comprehensive support give students the confidence and motivation to complete their programs and thrive in their careers.”

EduMed.org researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline. Primary data points include:

  • Number of online programs
  • Average in-state tuition
  • Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class
  • Amount of institutional grant aid awarded to students
  • Student/faculty ratio
  • Percent of full-time student completion – 6 years
  • Academic counseling
  • Career placement

To be eligible for ranking consideration, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject.

About EduMed

EduMed.org set out in 2018 to support higher education in healthcare. Our free resource materials and expert-driven guidebooks help students find scholarships, financial aid and top degree programs in nursing, healthcare administration and dozens of other allied health disciplines. Since the site’s official launch in 2019, EduMed.org has been featured by more than 100 premier colleges and universities across the U.S.

Spotlight on our Online Faculty

CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Joan McRae, in our World Literatures and Cultures Department, for winning the national ACTFL Online Teaching Award

Dr. McRae’s expertise spans French literature and culture, Medieval French literature, Manuscript Studies and Codicology, Humanities, and Study Abroad.

The ACTFL awards celebrate outstanding contributions to language teaching and highlight the importance of language learning across all educational levels. Dr. McRae’s achievement showcases the exceptional dedication and expertise our faculty bring to online language education.

Below is a quote from Dr. McRae:

“I am honored to receive the Online Teaching Award for Higher Education from ACTFL’s Distance Learning Special Interest Group. This prestigious national recognition underscores our commitment in CLA and World Languages to innovation and excellence in online language education. I thank ACTFL for this recognition, and extend my gratitude to CLA Dean Leah Lyons, WLLC Chair Olaf Berwald, and my colleague in French, Ann McCullough, for their support.  In developing our first online French language courses, I focused on creating a curriculum for language acquisition and cultural competence in a flexible, personalized learning environment that is accessible and encouraging for students to engage with the wider world.”