University of Louisville

Founded in 1798, the University of Louisville (UofL) is a public institution with campuses in Louisville and Owensboro. Its nursing education is commited to excellence and a forward-thinking approach.

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Louisville, Kentucky

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School Ranking: B+
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University of Louisville is a public and non-profit State Institution. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, Entry Level Masters, DNP, MSN to DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACEN and CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Student Demographics

  • 21 Average Age
  • 45% Men
  • 55% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 85% White
  • 2% Hispanic
  • 12% Black
  • 1% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $36,275 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $48,611 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

In 1798, the University of Louisville (UofL), a public university, was founded. Campus Locations include Louisville and Owensboro.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Traditional BSN program is a full-time program that consists of four semesters. It is four years in length and consists of four semesters of lower division coursework and four semesters of upper division coursework.

Graduates of the BSN program are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
  • ACT Composite of 22 and ACT Math of 22
  • Background check
  • Drug screening
  • Immunizations
  • CPR training through the American Heart Association: BLS for Healthcare Providers
  • Professional liability insurance

RN to BSN (online)

Students must hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The degree can be completed in as little as 16 months.

The program of study is five semesters in length and consists of 8-week courses that are flexible, allowing the student to keep working and finishing their degree at their pace. The coursework is delivered completely online. At the end of the program is a community health leadership practicum that can be completed in a site in the student's local community.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Unrestricted U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on all undergraduate work

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • Official transcripts representing all college course work with cumulative graduate and undergraduate grade point averages of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale
  • Completion of ACEN or CCNE accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in nursing, Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university
  • Two letters of reference
  • Goal statement
  • Resume
  • RN verification of licensure (and license number) from the Board of Nursing
  • Personal interview (if required)
  • Background check/drug screening
  • Medical insurance

Master's Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN)

The Master's Entry into Professional Nursing is a two-year program preparing students that hold a bachelor's degree in any area outside of nursing to have the opportunity to become entry-level professional nurses. MEPN students earn BSN and MSN degrees. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nursing licensure.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
  • Official transcripts representing all college coursework must be submitted; Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school is required
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Goal Statement
  • Background check/drug screening
  • Immunizations
  • Medical insurance
  • Liability insurance

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Students can enter with a BSN or MSN degree. The degree is a total of 75 to 78 credit hours, depending on the selected specialty.  This program is a full-time study with part-time options available.The full-time study program completes in 3 years. The program is online and in classroom, which is a hybrid model of learning. Students come to class in a classroom setting 4 to 6 times a semester. Beyond that, the curriculum is delivered online.

The BSN to DNP is designed for RNs that would like to obtain the nurse practitioner certification.

Nurse Practitioner Specialties

  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family Primary Care
  • Neonatal
  • Psych/Mental Health

Clinical Hours

Students in the BSN to DNP program have 1000 hours of clinical work required. Students in the MSN to DNP program are required to complete a minimum of 330 clinical hours.

Admission (not all inclusive)

BSN-DNP option - Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.  Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or ACEN accredited program. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university is required.

MSN-DNP option - Master's GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0.  Master's degree in nursing from a CCNE or ACEN accredited program. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Other Requirements

  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Goal statement
  • Resume
  • RN license number including RN verification of licensure from the Board of Nursing
  • Work experience (Neonatal specialty requires a minimum of 1 year work experience in a Level III or Level IV NICU prior to admission)
  • Immunizations
  • Liability insurance
  • Medical insurance
  • Criminal background/drug screen
  • Interview (may be required)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The BSN-PhD and MSN-PhD programs are on-site programs that are face-to-face with some courses online. Courses are offered in a traditional fashion in a semester long format. The program is offered in a full- or part time option. Upon coursework completion, students take the qualifying examination. After that, a dissertation is required.

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • Transcripts (Bachelor's degree must be from an institution with a NLN or CCNE accreditation)
  • GPA - BSN, cumulative GPA at least 3.0 - MSN, cumulative graduate GPA 3.25
  • GRE
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Goal statement
  • Background check/drug screen
  • Immunizations
  • Medical insurance

NCLEX 2017 Pass Rates

  • Owensboro BSN - 100%
  • Louisville MEPN - 93 %
  • Louisville BSN - 91%

Accreditation

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited The University of Louisville.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing and master's degree in nursing programs at University of Louisville School of Nursing.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2020)

  • #171 (tie) in National Universities
  • #91 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #102 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
  • #60 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans
  • #93 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
  • #538 (tie) Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

  • Top Public Universities in America #101 of 672
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #207 of 599
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #236 of 1,591
  • Best Colleges in America #296 of 1,647
  • Most Liberal Colleges in America #448 of 687
  • Best College Campuses in America #468 of 1,408
  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #537 of 1,592
  • Best College Dorms in America #580 of 1,370
  • Best College Locations in America #606 of 1,553
  • Best Value Colleges in America #796 of 1,590
  • Most Diverse Colleges in Kentucky #2 of 24
  • Top Public Universities in Kentucky #2 of 8
  • Best Colleges in Kentucky #3 of 27
  • Most Liberal Colleges in Kentucky #3 of 8
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Kentucky #5 of 13
  • Best College Locations in Kentucky #9 of 28
  • Best College Dorms in Kentucky #10 of 27
  • Best College Campuses in Kentucky #11 of 27
  • Best Value Colleges in Kentucky #11 of 27
  • Safest College Campuses in Kentucky #17 of 25
  • Best Colleges in Louisville Area #1 of 6
  • Best Value Colleges in Louisville Area #4 of 6

Forbes (2019)

  • #429 Top Colleges
  • #143 in Public Colleges
  • #180 in Research Universities
  • #87 in the South
  • #277 America's Best Value Colleges

The Princeton Review (2018-2019)

  • The Best 384 Colleges
  • Best Southeastern
  • Green Colleges

College Factual (2018-2019)

  • #3 Best Colleges for the Money in Kentucky
  • #482 Overall Best Colleges for the Money nationally

AffordableCollegesOnline ranked UofL as the top ten RN-BSN online programs (2018).

The University of Louisville was ranked #587 for Best Colleges For Your Money by MONEY Magazine (2018-2019).

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