WesternU College of Graduate Nursing ranked among U.S. News & World Report's Best Nursing Schools

Western University of Health Sciences' College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) is ranked among the 2026 Best Nursing Schools: Master's by U.S. News & World Report.

CGN's Master of Science in Nursing-Entry (MSN-E) program in Pomona, California, is ranked No. 45 (tied) in the nation. CGN has long stood on the foundation that a master's degree should be the entry point for nursing, said CGN Dean Mary Lopez, PhD, MSN, RN.

"Very few programs in California, let alone the nation, have that philosophy," she said. "This ranking is a great recognition of that approach. We're so proud to be recognized for that. We've long believed that when we raise up one group of nurses, all of nursing raises up." 

There is a huge nursing shortage in Southern California and across the nation, Lopez said. 

"There has never been a better time to be a nurse. We have been able to use our talents, our treasures and our faculty and staff to expand the program. We've gone from 75 students graduating every year to 100, putting more and more highly qualified, educated nurses who have leadership skills into our hospitals, clinics and public health departments to increase the health of our communities," she said. "I really have to hand it to the team at the College of Graduate Nursing - the faculty, the staff, and then all our students. We're all ambassadors of the program and it's great that we are recognized for the high-quality program we have at WesternU."