Blessing-Rieman College retains national accreditation; sees enrollment increase

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences has earned 
reaccreditation for a 10-year period from the Higher Learning Commission 
(HLC.) HLC is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. 
Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education 
Accreditation to accredit degree-granting colleges and universities. 
Accreditation examines the quality of the institution beyond its 
academic offerings and evaluates the institution as a whole, including 
the soundness of its governance and administration, adherence to 
mission, the sustainability of its finances, and the sufficiency of its 
resources. 

Accreditation provides current and potential students assurance that 
they are receiving a quality education which will be recognized as such 
by potential employers or licensing boards as well as by other colleges 
or universities in case of student transfers or pursuit of a higher 
degree. Also, employer-paid tuition reimbursement programs often require 
that employee participants enroll in accredited institutions.

"The Higher Learning Commission granted us ten-year accreditation, 
which is the maximum term. This highlights the confidence outside 
accrediting bodies have in our outcomes and sustainability," said 
Brenda Beshears, PhD, RN, president and chief executive officer, 
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences 

Enrollment jumps, too

Blessing-Rieman enrollment is up 2% overall for the 2024-25 academic 
year to a total of 252 students:

Total nursing enrollment increased 4%, 

Radiology program enrollment increased 17%, and

Direct Transfer track (which includes the nursing, radiology and 
respiratory programs) increased from 29 students last year to 63 this 
year, a 117% increase. Direct Transfer students completed their 
prerequisite course at another college.

"We believe the continued enrollment increases are a testimony to our 
reputation of having high quality outcomes in a caring environment," 
added Dr. Beshears.

Blessing-Rieman is defying the downward national college enrollment 
trend. BestColleges.com reports that undergraduate college enrollment 
declined almost 6%, or a loss of more than 900,000 students between the 
fall of 2019 and the fall of 2023. 

The number of students studying through Blesing-Rieman jumps to 298 when 
counting John Wood Community College-recruited students who learn from 
Blessing-Rieman faculty during the second year of their Association 
degree program.

Blessing-Rieman has provided professional nursing and healthcare career 
education since 1891. The College offers a joint Bachelor of Science in 
Nursing degree, a joint Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, and a 
joint Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, all in partnership with 
Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO, and Quincy University, Quincy, 
IL. Blessing-Rieman also offers a Direct Transfer option for the 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Respiratory 
Care, an Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory, an online RN to 
BSN, an RRT-BSRT, and an online Master of Science in Nursing.