Rivier University ranked No. 1 for online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner programs
Rivier University’s MSN: Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program has been named the top online nurse practitioner program in New Hampshire by RegisteredNursing.org in its 2026 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs rankings.
Rivier also earned recognition for its Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate, which ranked fourth statewide, as well as its online MSN programs, which ranked fifth overall in New Hampshire. The ranked MSN programs include the AG-ACNP, as well as the Leadership in Health Systems Management degree offering.
“Our nursing programs continue to be recognized for their academic excellence and mission-driven approach,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “Through our AG-ACNP program, Rivier equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, particularly in meeting the needs of our aging population.”
In addition to statewide recognition, RegisteredNursing.org ranked Rivier’s AG-ACNP MSN program sixth nationally among online nurse practitioner programs. The ranking cited the program’s multiple entry pathways for registered nurses and its strong preparation for AG-ACNP certification.
Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioners provide care for patients ages 17 and older, delivering long-term treatment for acute and chronic health conditions. These nurse practitioners assess patient health, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop and manage comprehensive treatment plans.
“Nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing primary care providers in the United States,” says Dr. Paula Williams, Dean of the Division of Nursing and Health Professions and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Our AG-ACNP programs help registered nurses advance their careers while driving improvements in patient care and the healthcare system at large.”
Named the No. 1 nursing school in New Hampshire by Nursing Schools Almanac, Rivier is home to a state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center. Renovated in 2022, the 17,825-square-foot facility provides immersive, hands-on learning through advanced simulation laboratories equipped with the latest technology for clinical assessment, community nursing, and telehealth education.
RegisteredNursing.org rankings are based on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Council for Community and Economic Research. Institutions are evaluated using a multi-factor methodology that includes acceptance and graduation rates, nursing faculty tenure, tuition and fees relative to cost of living, and other key metrics.
Rivier University offers ACEN-accredited nursing programs on campus and online, spanning from the associate through doctoral levels. To learn more, explore Rivier’s comprehensive nursing program offerings.