About Marian University
Founded in 1936, Marian University is nonprofit, faith-based learning institution that provides students, no matter their fields of study, with a quality education framed within the context of Franciscan values.

While we are a Catholic university, we welcome students of all faiths who seek a quality, student-centered educational experience grounded in:
- Dignity of the individual
- Peace and justice
- Reconciliation
- Responsible stewardship
Through these Franciscan values, we are able to carry out our vision of providing each student with an education that profoundly transforms lives, society, and the world. With respect to our ABSN program, we use the importance of faith to teach nursing students how to take a holistic approach to patient care, which focuses on treating the mind, body, and spirit.
Leighton School of Nursing
Since opening in 1977, our Leighton School of Nursing has a history of excellence in nursing education, thanks to our expert faculty, faith-based values, and clinical partnerships. In fact, health care employers tend to place high value on the expertise and dedication our graduates bring to the nursing workforce.
I have worked in the medical field, and word is that Marian University produces the best, most prepared nurses.
—Kelsey Stein, ABSN Class of May 2017
We’re able to provide you with a highly individualized learning experience by way of small student-faculty ratios and close-knit cohorts. Furthermore, our nonprofit status allows us to put your needs above everything else.
Nursing Degree Options
In addition to the online-based Accelerated BSN program, Marian University Leighton School of Nursing offers several paths for students interested in a nursing career, including the on-campus ABSN, traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), Second Degree BSN, RN to BSN, and Masters in Nursing Education programs. Each degree option provides a strong educational and clinical framework for students hoping to make a positive impact on the future of health care.
Contact us to learn more about the value of a Marian University education.