Seven College of Nursing graduate programs are among the top 10 in the nation in the latest U.S. News Best Graduate Schools rankings, released today. Our Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program moved up two spots to No. 1, Pediatric Primary Care DNP program rose one spot to No. 3, and the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health DNP programs entered the top 10 for the first time. 

"These outstanding rankings reflect the commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and partners who continually raise the bar for nursing education and leadership," said Dean Julie Zerwic. "It is a powerful affirmation of the excellence, innovation, and dedication that define the College of Nursing."

Fifty-six University of Iowa colleges and programs were recognized among the best in their field and eleven of these programs received a top 10 ranking in this year’s report. The College of Nursing holds seven of the university's 11 top ten spots. 

College of Nursing 2026 U.S. News graduate school rankings:

#1 Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)  

#3 Pediatric Primary Care DNP  

#6 Nursing Administration DNP  

#8 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care DNP 

#8 Adult/Gerontology Primary Care DNP  

#9 Family Nurse Practitioner DNP 

#9 Psychiatric/Mental Health DNP, across the lifespan programs

View the rest of the University of Iowa rankings here.