November 5, 2020
Written by Public Relations & Communications Strategist Jill Wilson
Augustana is proud to announce that the university made the list of Best Accelerated Nursing Programs in 2020 by Best Value Schools. Augustana ranked No. 3 in the nation out of the 264 member schools in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) that offer accelerated nursing programs.
Department of Nursing Chair and Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Lynn White said, “We are incredibly proud of the Augustana nursing program. The program’s success is a reflection of the high quality of students that are admitted to the program and also the dedication and excellence of the nursing program faculty, both in the classroom and clinical settings. Our strong partnerships with area clinical agencies are also a contributing factor to the success of our program.”
BestValueSchools.org researched thousands of colleges and universities to find the “best schools that meet the most important needs of prospective students for the best possible price.” The website also compiles resources to help students choose the perfect school that maximizes the student experience.
Best Value Schools ranked Augustana University’s accelerated nursing program based on national recognition, average net price to students, graduation rates, the percentage of students receiving financial aid and who pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam.
Augustana has also been named a top regional university for the second straight year by U.S. News & World Report — ranking #13 in Best Regional Universities in the Midwest. The university was recently ranked the Best College in South Dakota by Niche and made the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Times Higher Education (THE) list of top U.S. colleges and universities.
This summer, career site Zippia ranked Augustana No. 1 nationally for Best Small Colleges for Getting a Job and the second-highest college for post-graduate employment in the nation. College Raptor also identified Augustana as a 2021 Hidden Gem in the U.S., a Top 25 Best Urban Hidden Gem and the top college in the state to be named a Hidden Gem in the Plains Region.
Most recently, Augustana University earned a spot on WalletHub’s “2021’s Best Universities Rankings” list — No. 1 in South Dakota.