The undergraduate program at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston continues to outrank all others in Texas, according to the 2025 U.S. News Best Colleges publication, which was released today.

For the second consecutive year, Cizik School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program ranked No. 1 in Texas. Nationally, the school tied for No. 26, ranking in the top 5% of schools considered in the publication’s 2025 edition.

“Students and employers alike recognize the value of a BSN degree from Cizik School of Nursing,” said Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Erica Yu, PhD, RN, FNAP. “BSN students leave our program prepared to provide high-quality care at the bedside and with a solid foundation to become nurse leaders as they progress in their careers.”

From tutoring programs to electives focused on rehabilitation nursing and patients living with disabilities, Cizik School of Nursing provides BSN students with academic support and unmatched clinical experiences. Top students can be matched with nurse scientists to gain valuable experience through the school’s Honor’s Research Program.

“We work closely with our academic practice partners to develop innovative clinical teaching models, like dedicated education units and a clinical scholars program, to provide our students with strategic clinical opportunities and early career preparation,” Yu said.

Impressive statistics support the school’s high-ranking. For 2023, Cizik School of Nursing BSN graduates enjoyed a job placement rate of 96%, and 94% of them passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt.

“Nursing never stops changing, and our faculty are committed to finding innovative ways to make sure our students enter the workforce with the skills they will need to succeed,” said Dean Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, PHNA-BC, FSAHM, FAAN. “For example, our team worked with experts at UT Physicians and the other UTHealth Houston schools to develop educational customizations to the Epic electronic health record so that we can incorporate realistic and evolving interdisciplinary patient cases into simulations for students at all levels.”

Cizik School of Nursing’s BSN program offers the accelerated, 15-month Pacesetter option for students who are not currently registered nurses and the flexible, online RN to BSN option for students who have previously earned an associate degree in nursing.

U.S. News & World Report’s BSN program rankings for 2025 are based on surveys of top leaders at schools and departments of nursing. All ranked schools must have recently awarded at least 40 BSN degrees and must have bachelor’s-level accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.