Shenandoah Programs Receive Top Rankings
Shenandoah’s Physician Assistant Studies program is ranked tops in Virginia and 20th in the nation by U.S. News & Word Report for 2023.
Shenandoah’s Nurse-Midwifery program is tops in Virginia and 3oth in the nation according to rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music programs are ranked first in Virginia and 36th in the nation by Niche.com for 2023.
Understanding the methodology
“The Best Colleges for Music ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares the top music schools and performing arts colleges in the U.S.”
The Shenandoah’s Master’s in Athletic Training is the No. 1 Athletic Training master’s degree in the Southeast, according to CollegeFactual.com
It is difficult to beat Shenandoah University if you wish to pursue a master’s degree in athletic training.”
CollegeFactual.com ranks Shenandoah’s Master of Music Therapy program the best master of music therapy degree program in the nation!
When you are making music with somebody else, you can’t explain what happens in that moment, but it’s a different connection you can’t make in any other way, and it’s a powerful connection.”
– Sara Woodward ’14 ’19
Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is ranked #1 in the Southeast by CollegeFactual.com.
Shenandoah University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor’s degree in musical theater.”
About College Factual
College Factual’s mission is to help all students find a college and career they love, so they can enjoy their education and graduate with less debt and an exciting plan for their future. Located in Troy, NY, College Factual makes use of public and private data sources to publish thousands of unique data insights on every college and university in the United States.
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How The Top Schools Were Determined
College Factual’s rankings were created with objective, outcomes-based data. They were designed with student success in mind to reward colleges that are offering an excellent education proven by student success.
Read the Ranking Methodology
College Gazette ranks Shenandoah’s Music Therapy programs among the top 10 in the U.S.!
At Shenandoah, music therapy students receive a multidisciplinary, dynamic education that has the potential to take them across the world.
Options abound. Students can take classes in a virtual reality lab; work in teams of nursing, pharmacy, and occupational therapy students in the interprofessional education program; complete a clinical placement at INOVA hospital; or travel abroad to the World Congress of Music Therapy.
Shenandoah’s Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing was ranked #7 by Nursing Schools Almanac in their list of top Virginia nursing schools!
The university offers a breadth of nursing pathways including a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, a Veteran-to-BSN bridge program, four MSN specializations, the corresponding post-graduate certificates, and a DNP curriculum with both BSN and MSN entry points. Across its two campuses in Winchester and Ashburn, Shenandoah University produces 100-150 prelicensure BSN graduates annually.
Silver Military Friendly® School designation
Shenandoah has earned a Silver Military Friendly® School designation from Viqtory.
Receiving Silver recognition from Military Times- Military Friendly Schools survey exemplifies the dedication and support our military affiliated students receive here at Shenandoah University. Our services and military population have increased significantly over the last 10 years and we are excited to keep that momentum going with the revitalization of our National Guard Armory and its transformation to the Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE)! “
– Niccole S. Gatliff, Associate Registrar: Veterans and Technology
Great Colleges To Work For Recognizes Shenandoah
Positive Employee Feedback Earns SU the Great College To Work For Distinction For The 2nd Straight Year.
Shenandoah University’s strength is its people. We search the country, at times the world, to hire faculty and staff members who are inspiring, bold and relevant. They pour their talents and compassion into their work and into their relationships with students, co-workers and the community,” said Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. “SU’s unparalleled strength in enrollment, career placement and student success is due to the amazing individuals who work across our three locations.”
Shenandoah President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Best Pharmacy Degrees Online

Shenandoah made the list of OnlineU.com’s 2023 Best Pharmacy Degrees Online !
Their 2023 rankings web page states:
(SU’s) programs are tailored to students who are beginning their pharmacy careers or licensed pharmacists who want to advance their expertise.”
#2 in Rehabilitation Professions
Shenandoah ranked #2 on the 2023 Best Value Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region list!
Our 2023 rankings named Shenandoah the best value school for rehabilitation and therapeutic professions students working on their graduate certificate. It’s in the top 20% of all schools.”
#2 RN to Nurse-Midwifery Program
Shenandoah ranked #2 on Academia Labs’ 2022 Top Campus-Based Certified Nurse Midwifery Programs in the nation!
With multiple tracks to nurse midwifery education, this program is perfect for a future CNM looking for a solid degree in nursing midwifery.”
#1 Online DPT Program for International Students
Shenandoah ranked #1 as Best Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy Programs for International Students.
Shenandoah’s online transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is one of the nation’s best, according to Intelligent.com.
Shenandoah’s DPT program offered me an excellent, cost-effective way to re-enter the field of physical therapy after a long hiatus during which I raised my children and worked in childbirth education and advocacy.
– Julie Carestio ’21
#2 Best Sport Management Bachelor’s Degree in Va.
Shenandoah University is one of the best schools in the Southeast for getting a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management as rated by CollegeFactual.com
I love sports and was very interested in learning the business aspect. I knew that Sport Management was going to be my major when I was admitted. My favorite thing about being a Shenandoah student is how the professors get you ready for the real world and how the faculty cares about the students.”
– Miles Moore ’23
#3 Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Master’s Degree

Shenandoah University is one of the best schools in the Southeast for getting a master’s degree in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions as rated by CollegeFactual.com
Graduates who receive their master’s degree from Shenandoah make an average of $62,600 a year during the early days of their career. That is 9% higher than the national average of $57,400.
Therapeutic graduate degrees at SU include Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.
Winchester is home to Shenandoah University Main Campus.
If you’re looking for the best college towns in Virginia, you came to the right place.
These places all have great college sports programs, tons of stuff to do, and are great places to raise a family.
–CollegeSnacks “The 10 Best College Towns In Virginia For 2022”
Shenandoah offers pharmacy, health and nursing degrees at The Inova Center For Personalized Health in Fairfax.
Shenandoah ranked #3 for Best Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia
Shenandoah’s PhyEd/Coaching program excels, according to CollegeFactual.com.
Shenandoah’s Nontraditional Doctor Of Pharmacy Online Program is ranked 4th in the nation by CollegeAffordabilityGuide.org.
Understanding the methodology
We look at the fundamentals first: not-for-profit status, at least 500 total students, Associate or higher degrees, and at least one non-standard way for students to earn college credits, such as AP or ROTC credit. We also require that at least 20% of students be Pell Grant recipients.”
Read more atcollegeaffordabilityguide.org
Shenandoah ranked #4 as the Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia.
Shenandoah’s undergraduate education programs are tops, according to CollegeFactual.com.
Shenandoah ranked #5 as the Best Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
Therapeutic doctoral degrees at SU include Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.
Shenandoah’s online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is ranked #5 Best Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy Programs, according to Intelligent.com.
Shenandoah ranked #5 as the Best Physical Therapy/Therapist Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
Shenandoah’s Doctor Of Physical Therapy is a great program choice, according to CollegeFactual.com.
Shenandoah’s Athletic Training Master’s Degree Schools is ranked 12th in the nation by CollegeFactual.com.
Athletic Training is part of Shenandoah’s School Of Health Professions.
Shenandoah University is ranked No. 17 out of 158 colleges and universities in Virginia by Prepler.com
Shenandoah’s Health Professions Master’s Degrees are ranked No. 13 in the Southeast Region by CollegeFactual.com
Out of 169 Physician Assistant (PA) Studies programs evaluated by ThePALife.com, Shenandoah’s PA program ranks in a five-way tie for the 21st spot.
Understanding the methodology
Intelligent.com ranks nonprofit, accredited schools with flexible learning. Combining Program Strength, Student Readiness, Return on Investment, Cost, and Student Engagement scores gives the organization its Intelligent Score for each university, on a scale from 0 to 100. “Our top picks are highly regarded, economical, and equipped with the tools needed to teach their given degree.”
To help you, we use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze and process college and course data. All college data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics survey. All course data is sourced directly from our partner Colleges and Universities. College reviews are based on the compilation of hundreds of college guidebooks and millions of online reviews.”
Each school’s score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions.
PA school ranking data from the latest US News Best Physician Assistant Programs Raking Report. PANCE scores represent 5-year PANCE pass rates.
Last updated 05/2022
College Factual’s rankings were created with objective, outcomes-based data. They were designed with student success in mind to reward colleges that are offering an excellent education proven by student success.
Last updated 05/2022
Gold-Level Campus
Shenandoah is recognized by Exercise is Medicine as a Gold campus in 2023 for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
Understanding the methodology
Programs such as the Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC ) Month Challenge, Vital Signs Assessment and Referral, and SUFiT training all helped Shenandoah earn Gold-level designation. Shenandoah also earned EIM’s COVID Conqueror badge, a new honor given to campuses that demonstrated creative adaptations to physical activity programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A+ For B Students
If you’re a good student with less-than-stellar test scores or a so-so GPA, these are the schools for you. These colleges, which have strong ratings in the 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, accept a significant number of students with nonstratospheric transcripts.