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EduMed.org Ranks the Best Schools for Online Programs in Nursing & Allied Health for 2025 MTSU 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.

MTSU Ranks Among Top Schools for Online Master’s Degrees in 2024

Middle Tennessee State University has been recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD).

To be eligible, a college or university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master’s program in the ranking subject. Just 9 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position.

MTSU’s programs earned top honors in the following subject areas:

This recognition comes at a time when enrollment in master’s degree programs is on the decline. According to a 2023 report by the Council of Graduate Schools, enrollment dropped almost 5 percent from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 despite an increase in applications. The same report cites uncertainty in the value of a master’s as one of the main reasons for the downturn.

“With more students questioning whether a master’s degree is worth the investment, it is important to highlight the schools offering the best value,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OMD. “For the OMD rankings, this started with regionally accredited institutions with the lowest net costs. This includes tuition and fees but also looks at the amount of institutional aid their grad students receive. Overall cost is a major factor in most enrollment decisions.”

The rankings also consider value as it pertains to flexibility. Many master’s students need to balance work, family and other responsibilities, making online learning a must-have option for colleges.

“Each ranked school offers at least one fully or partially online master’s program, and many have dozens across a wide range of subjects,” Darland said. “Online programs make earning a master’s far more convenient and may encourage people on the fence about enrolling to take the first step.”

OnlineMastersDegrees.org analyzed more than 7,700 accredited colleges and universities using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the institutions themselves. After the data was compiled, OMD’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each of the different master’s degree specialties. Primary data points include:

  • Graduate student tuition
  • Number of online programs
  • Number of graduate students in online courses
  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Graduate student acceptance rate
  • Academic counseling services
  • Career placement services
About OnlineMastersDegrees.org

OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD) began in 2020 to support online learning at the master’s level. Our user-friendly, research-backed content helps students find scholarships, resources, and financial aid and connect with accredited colleges and universities nationwide.