Blessing-Rieman College earns 10-year national accreditation, sees enrollment increase

QUINCY — Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences has earned re-accreditation 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, sustainability of its finances and the sufficiency of its resources.

Accreditation provides current and potential students assurance that they are receiving a quality education that will be recognized 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. Employer-paid tuition reimbursement programs often require that employee participants enroll in accredited institutions.

“The Higher Learning Commission granted us 10-year accreditation, which is the maximum term. This highlights the confidence outside accrediting bodies have in our outcomes and sustainability,” Dr. Brenda Beshears, president and chief executive officer of Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said in a press release.

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

• Total nursing enrollment increased 4 percent. The radiology program enrollment increased 17 percent.
• Direct Transfer track (which includes the nursing, radiology and respiratory programs) increased from 29 students last year to 63 this year, a 117 percent 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,” Beshears said.

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

The number of students studying through Blessing-Rieman jumps to 298 when counting John Wood Community College-recruited students who learn from Blessing-Rieman faculty during the second year of their associate 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 in Canton, Mo., and Quincy University. 

Blessing-Rieman also offers a direct transfer option for a 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.