U.S. News & World Report Ranks St. John Fisher University Graduate Programs Among 2026 Best Online Programs

Several St. John Fisher University online graduate programs have been ranked among the 2026 Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings are based on a variety of factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies. Fisher’s Online MBA program, housed in the School of Business, ranked No. 90; the M.S. in Nursing online pathway, offered through the Wegmans School of Nursing, ranked No. 88, moving up five spots from last year. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education’s suite of online master’s degree programs were also included, ranking among the top 250 programs at No. 234.

“Fisher’s continued investment in online graduate education broadens the impact of our mission and these national rankings affirm the quality, rigor, and value that define our online graduate programs,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University. “Today, we enroll graduate students from across 30 states, a testament to both the demand for our programs and the transformative experience they provide. We remain committed to meeting learners where they are and preparing them for career advancement and purposeful professional success.”

In its 14th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. This year's edition evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor's and master's degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

“What sets the top-ranked online programs apart is their commitment to delivering flexible coursework for professionals, parents, and service members seeking to advance their careers and broaden their knowledge,” says LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News. “Our rigorous evaluation focuses on student engagement and support to highlight programs truly built for the modern learner.”

The AACSB-accredited Online MBA program, housed in the School of Business, provides a foundation in business theories with four concentration options including accounting, general management, health services management, and the pharmaceutical industry that give students a competitive edge in the workplace. The Fisher MBA alumni network fosters professional development through mentorship and networking, and nearly all graduates have career advancement or new job opportunities upon graduation. The flexible 30-credit program may be completed within one year. 

Offered online or on campus, the M.S. in Nursing program equips students for the next phase of their nursing career. Students can enroll in one of four specialized degree programs: Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Fisher prepares the largest number of nurses in the region via its traditional baccalaureate degree program and a large percentage of advanced practice nurse practitioners into the regional and state-wide health care workforce. The School’s Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing integrates specialized curriculum into nursing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education that addresses the unique health care needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education’s master's degree programs are offered in an online or hybrid modality, providing students with flexibility and convenience as they pursue graduate study. The inclusive education program is designed for individuals looking to make a career change to become a teacher, while the library media, literacy, and educational leadership programs provide educators with the knowledge and skills to advance in their career to become teacher librarians, literacy professionals, or building leaders. In 2025, the School introduced a reduced tuition model for its master’s degree programs to broaden access and provide affordability to interested candidates. New in 2026, the graduate inclusive education programs are now offered with an optional residency/apprenticeship program which provides graduate teacher candidates with a paid, yearlong, full‑time classroom experience that leads to initial New York State teacher certification. Developed in partnership with local school districts, the program pairs each resident with an experienced mentor co‑teacher, allowing candidates to apply their graduate coursework directly to daily classroom practice.

For more information about Fisher’s graduate programs, visit sjf.edu/graduate-programs.