Private academic medical center in Chicago offering medicine, nursing, and allied health education since 1972.
Rush University comprises four colleges: Rush Medical College (MD and graduate research programs), College of Nursing (BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD), College of Health Sciences (allied health professions), and The Graduate College (master's and doctoral degrees in basic sciences and clinical research). The university offers over 40 degree and certificate programs spanning medicine, nursing, allied health, and biomedical research. Programs emphasize a teacher-practitioner model integrating academics, research, and clinical practice within Rush University Medical Center.
Rush traces its origins to Rush Medical College, chartered March 2, 1837, and named after Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and prominent physician. The institution was reorganized as Rush University in 1972 to serve as the academic enterprise of Rush University Medical Center. The university educates over 2,700 students representing 18 countries, with a tripartite mission balancing education, research, and clinical care.
The campus occupies an 8-acre site on Chicago's Near West Side within the Illinois Medical District. Rush University Medical Center includes a 664-bed hospital serving adults and children, plus the 61-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center. The institution provides state-of-the-art medical facilities and clinical settings that consistently rank among the nation's best according to U.S. News and World Report.
Rush emphasizes small class sizes, hands-on learning, and a supportive community that values diversity and self-expression. The university offers interprofessional education opportunities, wellness services, accessibility accommodations, and community service programs. Students benefit from a learning environment integrated with clinical practice and research, preparing them for careers in health care.