69 systems launching, expanding nursing programs in 2026

Here are nursing programs that are opening, expanding and ending in 2026.

Note: This list is periodically updated throughout the year. If you would like to be included, please email m.taylor@beckershealthcare.com.

1. Bowie (Md.) State University launched the state’s first Ph.D. program in nursing education, which will begin in fall 2026. 
2. New Brunswick, N.J.-based Rutgers School of Nursing partnered with Wall Township-based Caregility to bring virtual care into its undergraduate nursing program. 
3. New Concord, Ohio-based Muskingum University launched a new Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership and Education program that is fully online.
4. Tallahassee-based Florida State University College of Nursing and College of Medicine have been awarded more than $1.6 million from the National Institutes of Health to prepare nurse-trained postdoctoral fellows for careers as researchers in digital health. 
5. Bozeman-based Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing received a $2.5 million grant to renovate the school’s simulation labs.
6. Maryville (Tenn.) College and Nashville-based Vanderbilt University School of Nursing partnered to create a nursing pipeline.
7. Olathe, Kan.-based MidAmerica Nazarene University will open its new Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program in January 2027.
8. Spokane, Wash.-based Whitworth University will launch its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in fall 2027.
9. Florence, S.C.-based McLeod Health gifted Francis Marion University, also in Florence, $75,000 to help maintain its nursing program. 
10. Kenosha, Wis.-based Carthage College will open a 15-month Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator program in February 2027.
11. University of Pittsburgh’s nursing school launched a hybrid Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner program through its online platform. 
12. Florence, S.C.-based McLeod Health contributed $75,000 to Florence-Darlington Technical College to help the school maintain its nursing program. 
13. WVU Medicine Wheeling (W.Va.) Hospital plans to open a new Center for Nursing Education in fall 2027.
14. Sanford, Fla.-based Seminole State College may receive $10 million from the state budget to expand its nursing program.
15. The University of Mobile (Ala.) launched a new Nursing Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Mobile Infirmary. 
16. Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University is opening a new Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing degree.  
17. Four Massachusetts hospitals and universities are partnering to launch nursing apprenticeships: Chelsea Jewish Lifecare – Bunker Hill Community College; Duffy Health Center – Cape Cod Community College; Mass General Brigham – Greenfield Community College; Mass General Brigham Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital – Roxbury Community College.
18. Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, launched an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program beginning in fall 2026. 
19. Bridgeport, W.Va-based WVJC School of Nursing expanded its partnership with the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program to include 5 additional locations: Braxton County Memorial Hospital, Princeton Community Hospital, Summersville Regional Medical Center, Thomas Memorial Hospital and Wheeling Hospital.
20. The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing expanded to year-round enrollment and started its first summer cohort in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway.
21. Providence-based University of Rhode Island College of Nursing and HopeHealth partnered to host clinical rotations and advanced practice experiences.
22. Ames-based Iowa State University is opening a new online Master of Science in Nursing program.
23. Estherville-based Iowa Lakes Community College partnered with Minnesota State University, Mankato to allow nursing students to transfer to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 
24. Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing will establish the state’s first nurse-midwifery program in fall 2026. 
25. Kent (Ohio) State University’s College of Nursing received a $1.8 million donation, which will be used for 150 scholarships for junior and senior nursing students over the next three years.
26. Charlottesville-based University of Virginia School of Nursing is changing its curriculum in August.
27. Goldsboro-based UNC Health Wayne Nursing Scholars Program is offering up to $40,000 in loan repayment upon graduation to students enrolled in a BSN or direct-entry MSN program.
28. Marshall-based Southwest Minnesota State University is planning to launch a four-year nursing degree and open a nursing simulation lab.
    
29. The University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing is shifting to a four-semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
    
30. Pittsburgh-based Duquesne University opened a new nursing simulation center thanks to a $4 million gift.
    
31. The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing is looking to move into the renovated Holmes Hospital.
    
32. Bryn Mawr (Pa.) Hospital received $1 million to relieve nursing student debts.
    
33. Seaside-based California State University, Monterey Bay has received a $15 million gift to establish a nursing school.
    
34. Glassboro, N.J.-based Rowan University and Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Holy Name’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing formed a dual-enrollment partnership.
    
35. Dallas, Pa.-based Misericordia University launched its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
    
36. Tuskegee (Ala.) University is the first historically Black college or university in Alabama to formally register a nursing apprenticeship program.
    
37. Gwynedd Valley, Pa.-based Gwynedd Mercy University will launch a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree beginning fall 2026.
    
38. Orange City, Iowa-based Northwestern College launched its Master of Science in Nursing degree.
    
39. Dallas, Pa.-based Misericordia University launched an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.
    
40. Ivy Tech Bloomington (Ind.) is expanding enrollment thanks to a $10 million gift from IU Health Foundation. 
    
41. Suffern, N.Y.-based Rockland Community College started construction on a $3 million nursing simulation lab.
    
42. Gainesville, Fla.-based University of Florida College of Nursing is establishing a nurse residency program, expanding simulation training, supporting nurse-led clinics in underserved areas, and “reimagining academic practice models and community immersion” with an $8.6 million gift.
    
43. Philadelphia-based Drexel University and Camden, N.J.-based Cooper University Health Care formed a workforce partnership designed to create clearer pathways into nursing roles, with a focus on strengthening the transition from education to practice.
    
44. Boone, N.C.-based Appalachian State University is building a nursing simulation and clinical learning lab with a $500,000 gift.
    
45. Colorado State University of Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo are starting a joint 3+2 bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing. 
    
46. College Place, Wash.-based Walla Walla University is expanding its nursing program to the College Place campus.
    
47. Ames-based Iowa State University is launching an online Master of Science in Nursing in fall 2026, and an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in summer 2027.
    
48. The Clemson (S.C.) University School of Nursing received a $3.75 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to financially support 30 nursing students.
    
49. Cornerstone University partnered with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, both in Grand Rapids, Mich., to expand clinical experience, tuition assistance, and professional pathways for Bachelor of Science in Nursing students.
    
50. Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s nurse anesthesia program received accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The three-year degree is part of the school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
    
51. Plainview, Texas-based Wayland Baptist University is opening a pre-nursing track this fall and launching its first nursing cohort on the Plainview campus in fall 2028.
    
52. The University of South Carolina Aiken’s School of Nursing received a $2 million grant to upgrade its simulation technology and renovate classrooms.
    
53. Sioux Center, Iowa-based Dordt University launched a new Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program.
    
54. Tuscaloosa-based University of Alabama is investing more than $80 million to double its nursing program.
    
55. Milton, Mass.-based Curry College will acquire the Labouré College of Healthcare’s nursing programs and major assets.
    
56. UNC Charlotte launched a two-year accelerated nursing program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
    
57. Bloomington-based Indiana University launched a three-year direct-admission Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
    
58. Rochester, N.Y.-based St. John Fisher University’s Wegmans School of Nursing launched a financial support program to supply nursing students with room and board scholarships, as well as stipends for on-campus living.
    
59. New London, N.H.-based Colby-Sawyer College is offering 16 full-ride scholarships for nursing students.
    
60. Ocean Springs, Miss.-based Singing River Health System launched a nursing residency program, which began Feb. 16 with nearly 40 nurse residents.
    
61. Providence, R.I.-based Women & Infants Hospital launched a program that will provide up to $45,000 in loan repayments over a three-year period for nursing students who commit to working at the facility upon graduation.
    
62. Bozeman-based Montana State University is doubling the financial support for nursing students thanks to a $2.5 million gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF.
    
63. Jonesboro-based Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions secured $9 million in federal funding to increase enrollment by 25% and expand its facilities.
    
64. Versailles, Ky.-based Frontier Nursing University is utilizing $20 million of the university’s unrestricted endowment funds for scholarships. 
    
65. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Nursing partnered with ENCORE Ministry Foundation to launch a new Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate program.
    
66. Mayo Clinic in Florida and Jacksonville (Fla.) University are collaborating to launch a direct entry Master of Science in Nursing program in fall 2026.
    
67. Sioux Center, Iowa-based Dordt University launched a Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program to begin this fall.
    
68. West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health opened a new operating room simulation lab at the Institute for Nursing Excellence in Livingston, N.J.
    
69. New York City-based NYU Langone Health opened its Lerner Holistic Integrative Health Nursing Fellowship to nurses nationwide, expanding a program previously limited to its own workforce. 

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