Rush University College of Nursing traces its roots to the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing (1903) and the Central Free Dispensary, and became part of Rush University when the university was established in 1972. Located within Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, it is a graduate-focused nursing college that was among the first in the nation to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. It consistently ranks among the top nursing schools for graduate and DNP programs and is best known for its clinical integration and emphasis on evidence-based practice.
The college is built around the Rush model of 'practitioner-teachers,' in which faculty maintain active clinical practice and students learn alongside medical, allied health, and graduate students in an interprofessional environment. Students train in a major academic medical center with a Magnet-designated nursing enterprise on Chicago's Near West Side, with access to the Illinois Medical District. The student body is largely graduate and working-professional oriented, with strong online and hybrid options, a supportive cohort culture, and strong placement into advanced practice and leadership roles.
| Type | Private Research |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Total students | 2,700 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 8:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 60% |
| Graduation rate | 85% |
| Average starting salary | $85,000 |
| In-state tuition | $1,400 per credit hour (graduate) |
| Out-of-state tuition | $1,400 per credit hour (graduate) |
| Room & board | $20,000 |
| Average financial aid | $20,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 75% |
| SAT range | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A |
| Average GPA | 3.50 |
| Regular deadline | Varies by program; typically January-March for fall entry |
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.