The University ranked ninth in the 2016 Top 50 online RN to BSN programs, according to the http://www.toprntobsn.com website. In a press released by Top RN to BSN, the editor of the ranking Tim Otto said Colleges are becoming more responsive to students who need flexibility and online access.

“This ranking is a valuable resource to help registered nurses find the college that will meet their needs and fulfill their career goals,” Otto said in a press release.

Finishing first in the ranking was Ohio State University, followed by University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in second and third.

To be considered for ranking, all schools had to be fully accredited by a national nursing accreditation agency. Then, schools were ranked by cost, graduation rates and loan repayment. The information was gathered by public information, the National Center for Education Statistics, and tuition rates published by the schools themselves.

“Online program options make college more readily available to rural students, working parents, and those who might not otherwise consider getting a baccalaureate degree,” Ottos said in the press release.