Which HBCU Has the Best Nursing Program?
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Nursing Schools were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1965 to provide black students with a supportive environment in which to learn nursing. There are 36 HBCU’s in the United States that offer nursing programs. Winston-Salem State University has the leading HBCU nursing program in the country.
About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University is considered one of the best HBCU’s in the U.S. compared to other schools. WSSU is a public school that is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. It is now recognized as offering baccalaureate and graduate programs to a diverse student population, and often ranked as one of the top HBCU’s in the country. The total enrollment in the nursing program is 81 students, with 9 full-time faculty members.
Why Winston-Salem State University Has the Best Nursing Program
Winston-Salem State University’s nursing program is the top in the country based on several factors like affordability, curriculum, and test scores. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum with both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Nursing. U.S News and World Report ranks Winston-Salem as #131 nationally for the Master of Nursing program and #122 as Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Nurse Journal ranked WSSU as #8 for its “America’s Best Nursing Schools for 2018” as well as #15 for the Top 500 Online Nursing Programs.
Students in the program are also well-equipped to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Students from the school have a 90.9% passing rate of the NCLEX-RN exam. This is higher than the national rate of 86.57% for 2020.
Graduates of the nursing program earn some of the highest salaries in the state of North Carolina. Yet, compared to other HBCU nursing programs, Winston-Salem is one of the most affordable. Full-time tuition for the Master of Science of Nursing is $3,872 per year (in-state) and $13,987 per year (out-of-state). As compared to Howard University, another distinguished HBCU, the nursing program costs $35,455 per year full-time.
What really makes the program stand out is the hands-on experience students can receive. The nursing program focuses on social justice and the improvement of the health of the underserved population by engaging in community health programs. The program’s Center for Excellence, which is nationally recognized, reduces health disparities for those who cannot afford health care. Students of the program are able to learn as they get involved in serving the community around them.
The diversity and breadth of the nursing program at Winston-Salem State University makes it the top choice for HBCU’s.
