Best RN Programs in Mississippi: 8 Accredited BSN Programs Ranked for 2026
The best RN programs in Mississippi span a wider cost and quality range than most prospective nurses expect. This ranking covers 8 accredited BSN programs across the state, scored on graduation rate, in-state tuition, selectivity, and outcomes data pulled from IPEDS and the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The average graduation rate across these 8 RN programs is 55%. In-state tuition runs from $8,105 at Alcorn State University to $29,800 at Belhaven University. If you want the strongest public-sector value among Mississippi RN programs, Alcorn State at $8,105 in-state is the number to know.
This guide answers the questions that actually matter before you apply: what accreditation to look for, how ADN and BSN paths compare, what the NCLEX-RN requires, and what registered nurses earn nationally once they are licensed. Each program profile draws on real scraped program-page data, not marketing copy. The Hakia Score beside each school reflects how that program performed across every factor in the model, not how aggressively its admissions office filled out a survey.
Whether you are choosing between a $8,000 public option and a $29,000 private program, deciding between an accelerated BSN and a traditional track, or trying to figure out which nursing programs in Mississippi hold CCNE versus ACEN accreditation, the numbers here will give you a real baseline to make that call.
Key Takeaways on the Best RN Programs in Mississippi
- 8 BSN-level RN programs in Mississippi were analyzed; the average graduation rate across the ranked set is 55%, ranging from 47% to 72%.
- In-state tuition for Mississippi RN programs runs from $8,105 (Alcorn State University) to $29,800 (Belhaven University). That is a $21,695 spread within the same state.
- Mississippi College holds the top Hakia Score (85.8) among all ranked RN programs, with a 59% graduation rate and $21,000 in-state tuition.
- The University of Mississippi posts the highest graduation rate in the ranked set at 72%, with in-state tuition of $9,612, making it the strongest public option by graduation outcome.
- Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS wage data. That figure applies regardless of which Mississippi RN program you attend.
- Every ranked program carries CCNE or ACEN accreditation. Attending an accredited program is a hard requirement for NCLEX-RN eligibility at most state boards.
The Hakia Score for each Mississippi RN program is built from four factors: graduation rate (heaviest weight, because it is the most direct signal of whether students actually complete the program), cost efficiency (in-state tuition relative to peer programs), selectivity (admit rate as a proxy for academic rigor), and national outcomes context from BLS wage data. Enrollment figures and institutional characteristics come from IPEDS. No program paid to be included. No reputation surveys, no peer votes, no admissions-office submissions.
The 8 Best RN Programs in Mississippi, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi CollegeClinton, MS | nonprofit | $21,000 | 59% | 29% | 85.8 |
| 2 | William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS · online option | nonprofit | $14,250 | 60% | 60% | 83.9 |
| 3 | Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS | Public | $8,105 | 57% | 45% | 77.9 |
| 4 | Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS | nonprofit | $29,800 | 49% | 50% | 77.8 |
| 5 | University of MississippiUniversity, MS | Public | $9,612 | 72% | 97% | 77.5 |
| 6 | Mississippi University for WomenColumbus, MS | Public | $8,392 | 47% | 90% | 69.6 |
| 7 | University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS | Public | $9,888 | 49% | 99% | 68.8 |
| 8 | Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS | Public | $8,435 | 48% | 100% | 63.8 |
The Top RN Programs in Mississippi at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
A Closer Look at the Top RN Programs in Mississippi
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS · nonprofit
Mississippi College's accelerated BSN compresses four years of nursing coursework into four semesters for career-changers, backed by a Hakia Score of 85.8.
- Hakia Score 85.8, ranked #1 in Mississippi
- 29% admit rate, most selective in this group
- Accelerated BSN track completable in 4 semesters
- $21,000/yr flat tuition (in- and out-of-state)
Mississippi College in Clinton offers two paths to the BSN: a traditional four-year program built on a full liberal arts core, and an accelerated track designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The accelerated program loads all nursing courses across four consecutive semesters, starting with Foundations of Nursing Practice and Health Assessment and finishing with Nursing Practice Synthesis and an NCLEX Preparation and Review course. The traditional track sequences two years of prerequisites and general education before moving into clinical nursing coursework in the junior year, covering Adult Health, Pediatric, Reproductive, Mental Health, and Population Health nursing.
MC carries a Hakia Score of 85.8, ranking it first among Mississippi BSN programs in this analysis. Admission is selective: only 29% of applicants are accepted, the tightest admit rate among the four programs reviewed here. Tuition is $21,000 per year regardless of residency, reflecting the private nonprofit structure. The graduation rate stands at 59%. That combination of selectivity and private-school cost makes MC the right fit for a motivated student who wants a structured, faith-grounded environment and the flexibility of an accelerated timeline to avoid a second four-year commitment.
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS · nonprofit · online option
William Carey University's five BSN pathways, including a hybrid 2nd Degree track, give career-changers and working healthcare workers access to a BSN for $14,250 per year.
- Hakia Score 83.9
- Five BSN pathways including hybrid formats
- $14,250/yr tuition, lowest among private programs here
- 60% admit rate, most accessible of the four
William Carey University in Hattiesburg runs five distinct routes to the BSN: Pre-Licensure, LPN Advanced Placement (traditional or hybrid), 2nd Degree Hybrid, Healthcare Transitions Hybrid, and RN to BSN. The 2nd Degree Hybrid is built for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree in any field; it delivers nursing theory through asynchronous online lectures and places clinical hours at sites near the student, with a full-time plan of four terms and a part-time option stretching to seven terms. The Healthcare Transitions Hybrid takes a similar hybrid structure and targets licensed or certified healthcare workers looking to expand into RN practice. Both hybrid pathways are currently limited to Mississippi and Louisiana residents.
WCU earns a Hakia Score of 83.9, second in this Mississippi group. At a 60% admit rate it is the most accessible of the four programs here, and at $14,250 per year it is also the lowest tuition among the private nonprofits reviewed. Graduation rate is 60%. The breadth of entry points and the hybrid delivery make WCU a practical choice for students who need to keep working or managing family responsibilities while completing their degree. The minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75 and the science-failure limits are the key eligibility gates to check before applying. Registered nurses nationally earn a BLS median of $97,550 per year, providing context for the career outcome these pathways lead to.
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS · Public
Alcorn State University is Mississippi's only public HBCU in this ranking, offering a BSN for $8,105 per year with both a generic four-semester track and an RN-to-BSN option.
- $8,105/yr tuition, lowest in this Mississippi group
- Hakia Score 77.9
- RN-to-BSN completion option in 2 semesters
- 45% admit rate at a public HBCU
Alcorn State University's School of Nursing in Alcorn State, MS offers two options under its BSN program: the Generic Program Option, a four-semester pre-licensure track for students entering without a nursing license, and the RN to BSN Program Option, a two-semester completion path for working registered nurses. The program also sits within a broader nursing portfolio that includes graduate study at the master's level, with MSN tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator also housed in the same school. The scraped program page focuses on degree-plan structure and navigation rather than clinical specifics, so prospective students should contact the school directly for current clinical site and accreditation details.
As the only public institution in this four-school comparison, Alcorn State's cost stands apart: $8,105 per year in tuition, less than half the price of William Carey and a fraction of Belhaven's sticker price. Out-of-state tuition is listed identically at $8,105. The Hakia Score is 77.9, third in this group. The admit rate is 45% and the graduation rate is 57%. For a Mississippi resident who qualifies and wants to limit borrowing, Alcorn State offers the clearest cost advantage of any program in this set. The RN-to-BSN option also makes it a realistic upgrade path for LPNs and associate-degree nurses already in the workforce. BLS projects registered nursing employment to grow through the decade, reinforcing demand for BSN-prepared nurses regardless of entry path.
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS · nonprofit
Belhaven University's four-year BSN is CCNE-accredited, located minutes from Jackson's major medical corridor, and includes a Nursing Freshman Guarantee for high school juniors.
- CCNE-accredited BSN program (school-reported)
- Hakia Score 77.8
- Nursing Freshman Guarantee for high school juniors
- Located near Jackson's major medical corridor
Belhaven University in Jackson offers a four-year BSN grounded in a servant-leadership curriculum. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which the school notes is recognized in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Clinicals take place near what the program page describes as the state's largest medical corridor, giving students access to a range of practice settings. Belhaven also runs an RN to BSN track, evidenced by a named Director of RN to BSN Program on the faculty listing. A standout admission feature is the Nursing Freshman Guarantee, which lets high school students apply during their junior year to lock in conditional acceptance to the School of Nursing before arriving on campus.
Belhaven carries a Hakia Score of 77.8, fourth in this group. Tuition is $29,800 per year, the highest among the four schools reviewed, which is a real tradeoff against the CCNE credential and the Jackson-area clinical access. The graduation rate is 49% and the admit rate is 50%. Students drawn to a structured Christian liberal arts environment with on-campus skills labs, a formal Blessing of the Hands clinical ceremony, and the security of the freshman guarantee will find a clear value proposition here, but the price tag warrants a thorough look at scholarship availability before committing. The school's page cites CCNE accreditation; prospective students can verify current status directly at the AACN CCNE accreditation site.
University of Mississippi
University, MS · Public
Three distinct BSN pathways at Ole Miss, including a 12-month Accelerated BSN, backed by a 97% admission rate to the university and $9,612 in-state tuition.
- 3 BSN tracks including 12-month ABSN
- $9,612 in-state tuition
- 72% graduation rate
- Hakia Score 77.5
The University of Mississippi routes pre-nursing students through its Allied Health Studies major at the Oxford campus, then into the BSN program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Nursing in either Oxford or Jackson. The program offers three tracks: a Traditional BSN that begins after two years of prerequisites, a Traditional BSN Freshman Early Entry for students with a 25+ ACT and 3.5+ high school GPA who qualify for a guaranteed Jackson seat, and an Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree and complete the nursing curriculum in 12 months.
Ole Miss posts a 72% graduation rate and admits 97% of applicants at the university level, meaning the real filter is competitive admission to UMMC's nursing program itself. In-state tuition runs $9,612; out-of-state students pay $28,440, one of the wider in-state/out-of-state spreads in Mississippi. At a Hakia Score of 77.5, it ranks fifth among Mississippi BSN programs in this guide. The 12-month ABSN track is the clearest differentiator for career-changers who already hold a degree and want the fastest credentialed path to the NCLEX-RN.
At 26,449 enrolled students, Ole Miss is the largest institution in this group, which means more course options and campus resources but also more competition for limited nursing seats. The Health Professions Advising Office coordinates prerequisite advising and application support across all three tracks, an asset for students navigating the split between the Oxford and Jackson campuses.
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS · Public
Mississippi University for Women charges the same $8,392 tuition for every student regardless of state residency, eliminating the out-of-state cost penalty entirely.
- $8,392 flat tuition (no out-of-state surcharge)
- RN-to-BSN in 12 or 18 months
- 90% university admit rate
- Hakia Score 69.6
The Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mississippi University for Women (The W) offers BSN programs through its Department of Baccalaureate Nursing. Two tracks are available: a Generic Option structured as a traditional four-year plan, and an Advanced Placement Option for working registered nurses pursuing a BSN, with both a 12-month full-time path and an 18-month part-time path. The W's program page frames the goal as preparing a nurse generalist who exercises leadership in health promotion and serves as an agent of change at local, state, national, and global levels.
The most concrete financial story at The W is its flat tuition: $8,392 per year for both in-state and out-of-state students, the only program in this group with no out-of-state premium. That is a meaningful advantage for students coming from neighboring states. The graduation rate stands at 47% and the university admits 90% of applicants, suggesting the nursing program's selectivity sits above the university's overall gate. With 2,193 total enrolled students, The W is a small campus environment. Its Hakia Score of 69.6 places it sixth among Mississippi programs in this guide.
The RN-to-BSN Advanced Placement track's dual-pace structure (full-time or part-time) is designed explicitly for working nurses who need scheduling flexibility. Students considering this path should confirm current ACEN or CCNE accreditation status directly with the program, as the scraped page does not specify which body accredits the program.
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public
Southern Miss runs BSN programs across two campuses plus a fully online RN-BSN, with the Accelerated BSN on the Gulf Park campus and a $2,000 out-of-state tuition gap that is among the smallest in Mississippi.
- 3 tracks: Traditional BSN, ABSN, fully online RN-BSN
- $9,888 in-state / $11,888 out-of-state tuition
- Fall and spring start dates
- Hakia Score 68.8
The University of Southern Mississippi School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) offers three distinct paths to a BSN. The Traditional BSN is based on the Hattiesburg campus and follows the standard two-years-of-prerequisites plus two-years-of-nursing structure. The RN-BSN is fully online and targets registered nurses who hold an unrestricted RN license in a compact state. The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) runs on the Gulf Park campus and serves students who already hold a bachelor's degree. All three begin each fall and spring semester. A Dean's Scholars early admission track is also available for qualifying high school seniors who commit to USM as freshmen.
USM admits 99% of university applicants, making it one of the most open-access institutions in this group. Graduation rate sits at 49%. In-state tuition is $9,888; out-of-state tuition is $11,888, a $2,000 gap that is unusually narrow and makes USM competitive for students from neighboring states who do not qualify for Mississippi residency. The Hakia Score is 68.8, placing this program seventh in Mississippi in this ranking.
The geographic distribution across Hattiesburg and Gulf Park, combined with a fully online RN-BSN, gives USM the broadest access footprint of any program in this group. Students should identify which campus and track aligns with their situation before applying, since each pathway has a separate application and distinct prerequisite requirements. For NCLEX licensing details, the program page points students toward the standard NCSBN NCLEX-RN process.
Delta State University
Cleveland, MS · Public
Delta State's BSN program is CCNE-accredited, open-admission, and the school reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate for its 2023 graduates.
- CCNE-accredited program
- $8,435 flat tuition (no out-of-state surcharge)
- ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications included
- Hakia Score 63.8
Delta State University's Robert E. Smith School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a pre-licensure BSN program that is web-enhanced: primarily face-to-face instruction with some online assignments. Students can complete the program full-time in five semesters or part-time in seven semesters. The program prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and is CCNE-accredited. Working registered nurses pursuing a BSN have a separate RN-to-BSN pathway. Applications are accepted year-round, though students enroll in the fall term and admission is described as competitive despite the university's 100% admit rate.
The program page reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate for 2023 graduates, a 100% employment rate for 2023, and a 90% graduation rate for 2023. These are self-reported figures from the school and should be verified directly with the program. The Hakia Score of 63.8 ranks Delta State eighth in Mississippi, with a university-level graduation rate of 48%. Tuition is $8,435 per year for both in-state and out-of-state students, matching The W's flat-rate model and making it the second program in this group with no out-of-state surcharge. Enrollment is 2,654, a small campus with a 2,193-student peer in The W.
Certifications built into the curriculum include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and Tuberculosis Training. Students graduate with those credentials alongside their degree, which reduces post-graduation certification costs. The scholarship program automatically considers all admitted students, with specific awards available for Mississippi residents who commit to working in-state after graduation.
What RN Programs in Mississippi Actually Cost
In-state tuition for the 8 ranked RN programs in Mississippi runs from $8,105 to $29,800 per year. That is not a typo. The gap between the cheapest public program and the most expensive private program is $21,695 annually. Over a four-year BSN, that difference compounds to roughly $86,000 before financial aid. If you are deciding between Alcorn State and Belhaven, you are making a six-figure financial decision, not just a campus preference.
The four public universities in this ranked set (Alcorn State, University of Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women, University of Southern Mississippi, and Delta State) all price in-state tuition below $10,000 per year. The three private nonprofits (Mississippi College, William Carey University, and Belhaven) range from $14,250 to $29,800. Private nursing programs sometimes offer merit aid that narrows the gap, but compare net price, not sticker price, before assuming a private BSN is out of reach or that a public BSN is automatically cheaper after aid.
On the return side, the BLS reports a national median wage of $97,550 per year for registered nurses. That salary figure does not change based on which accredited Mississippi RN program you attended. It is a national occupational median. What changes is how much debt you carry into that first RN job. A graduate from a $8,105-per-year public program and a graduate from a $29,800-per-year private program can hold the same NCLEX-RN license and earn the same median wage. The cost difference is front-loaded. Factor it accordingly.
Financial aid, employer tuition reimbursement, and the Mississippi Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program can all reduce net cost. But the right starting point is the tuition range: $8,105 to $29,800 for RN programs in this state, with the strongest public value at Alcorn State and the highest graduation rate among public programs at the University of Mississippi (72%, $9,612 in-state).
Licensure and the NCLEX-RN: What Passing Actually Means
Graduating from a BSN program does not make you a registered nurse. You become an RN when you pass the NCLEX-RN, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Every RN programs graduate in Mississippi, and in every other state, has to clear this exam before practicing. There is no state-by-state substitute.
The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing. The exam pulls from a question bank covering clinical judgment, safety, infection control, pharmacology, and care management. It adjusts in real time based on your responses. The minimum number of questions is 85; the maximum is 150. Most candidates finish in under two hours, but the exam can run up to five hours. You will not know your result at the end of the session. Mississippi reports results through the Pearson VUE portal, typically within 48 hours via the unofficial "Quick Results" service.
A program's NCLEX pass rate is a meaningful signal of how well its curriculum prepared graduates for licensure. When evaluating RN programs, ask specifically for first-time NCLEX pass rates, not overall pass rates, which can be inflated by repeat testers. Mississippi Board of Nursing annual reports publish pass rates by program. Review those numbers alongside graduation rates; a program with a high graduation rate but a low NCLEX pass rate is finishing students who are not ready to practice.
CCNE vs. ACEN Accreditation: Why It Matters for RN Programs
Nursing program accreditation comes from two bodies: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which accredits BSN and graduate programs, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which accredits programs at every level from practical nursing through doctoral. Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Both carry weight.
Why does accreditation matter for RN programs specifically? Three reasons. First, most state boards require graduation from an accredited nursing program before they will accept an NCLEX-RN application. Second, many BSN-to-MSN and RN-to-BSN bridge programs require applicants to hold degrees from CCNE- or ACEN-accredited schools. If you plan to advance your education, a non-accredited BSN can close doors before you finish your first nursing job. Third, many hospital employers, particularly Magnet-designated facilities, prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses from accredited programs.
When you look at RN programs in Mississippi, confirm current accreditation status directly with CCNE or ACEN before enrolling. Accreditation is renewed on a cycle, and programs can lose status. A program that was accredited when a friend attended may not carry the same standing today. Check the accreditor's public directory, not the school's website, to confirm active status and expiration date.
ADN vs. BSN: The Honest Tradeoff for Mississippi Nursing Programs
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) gets you to the NCLEX-RN in roughly two years. A BSN takes four. Both produce a licensed registered nurse. The honest case for the ADN is speed and cost. If you are 35, already have a healthcare job, and need RN licensure as fast as possible, an ADN from a Mississippi community college followed by an RN-to-BSN completion program can be the right sequence. You are working as an RN while finishing your bachelor's degree, and many employers pay for the RN-to-BSN portion.
The case for starting with a BSN is that the labor market has moved. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that a majority of hospital employers now prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses for hire and promotion. Magnet-designated hospitals have formal goals for BSN workforce percentages. If you want to work in a large urban health system, go into nursing management, or advance to a nurse practitioner program, a BSN from the start is the cleaner path. It is also worth noting that BSN programs typically include public health, leadership, and research content that ADN programs omit.
This ranking focuses on BSN-level RN programs because that is where the long-term demand is trending. It does not mean ADN programs are a mistake. It means if you are planning a full nursing career, the BSN is the credential with the most open doors and the one that graduate nursing programs uniformly require for admission. The 8 programs ranked here all offer traditional or accelerated BSN pathways. If your situation calls for the ADN-to-BSN route, Mississippi's community college system offers ADN programs at multiple campuses that pair with the RN-to-BSN options several of these ranked schools provide.
Online RN Programs and Accelerated BSN Paths in Mississippi
Online RN programs, specifically online BSN completion programs for working nurses, are widely available in Mississippi. Several of the ranked schools offer RN-to-BSN tracks that are partially or fully online. These are designed for nurses who already hold an ADN and an active RN license. They are not entry-level nursing programs. You cannot complete clinical hours online; every accredited nursing program requires in-person clinical training. What online delivery covers is the didactic coursework, leadership content, and general education requirements.
Accelerated BSN programs, often labeled ABSN, are a separate category. These programs are designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Typical ABSN timelines run 12 to 18 months. The pace is intense. You are completing a full BSN curriculum in roughly half the time of a traditional program. ABSN programs require a prior bachelor's degree with specific prerequisite science courses completed. Not every ranked program in Mississippi offers an ABSN track, so confirm availability directly with each school's nursing department if that format fits your situation.
For prospective nurses without a prior degree choosing between online and traditional RN programs, the right frame is this: the clinical component of any accredited nursing program requires hands-on practice. You will spend significant time in clinical placements regardless of how the program is delivered. Fully online entry-level BSN programs that waive clinical requirements are not CCNE- or ACEN-accredited and cannot prepare you for the NCLEX-RN in any meaningful way. What you can reasonably do online is the coursework portion of a hybrid program. The clinical hours have to happen in person.
RN Salary and Job Outlook: National Context for Mississippi Graduates
Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The BLS projects RN employment to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, adding roughly 194,500 new positions. That growth rate outpaces the average for all occupations. Demand is driven by an aging population, increased management of chronic diseases, and nurses retiring from the workforce at a higher rate than new graduates are entering it.
Mississippi salaries for registered nurses typically fall below the national median due to regional wage variation, but the license itself is fully portable. An RN licensed in Mississippi can work in any state, and several compact states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows multi-state practice on a single license. If you complete one of the best RN programs in Mississippi and then relocate, your credentials transfer. The NCLEX-RN is the same exam in every jurisdiction.
Within Mississippi, the highest-paying settings for registered nurses are typically acute care hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and critical care units. Home health and long-term care settings generally pay less. BSN-prepared nurses are more competitive for hospital positions and have clearer pathways into nursing leadership, case management, and advanced practice roles. Each of those trajectories comes with a higher earnings ceiling than staff RN positions. The BSN programs ranked here are the entry point to that progression. The national median of $97,550 is the floor for many of those advanced roles, not the ceiling.
RN Programs in Mississippi: Your Questions, Answered
How long do RN programs in Mississippi take to complete?
Are online RN programs in Mississippi accredited?
What is a good NCLEX-RN pass rate for a nursing program?
What is the difference between CCNE and ACEN accreditation for nursing programs?
How much do RN programs in Mississippi cost?
ADN vs. BSN: which should I choose for nursing in Mississippi?
Do Mississippi RN graduates have to retake the NCLEX if they move to another state?
What salary can I expect after graduating from an RN program in Mississippi?
How the RN Programs in Mississippi Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many community colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: clinical placement quality, NCLEX pass rates, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.