Master’s Degrees in Nursing
Education Levels of Nursing Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 49,855 people earned their master's degree in nursing. This earns it the #2 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in nursing at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 49,855 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 13,058 |
| Graduate Certificate | 5,204 |
Earnings of Nursing Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in nursing is $106,209. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $98,176 to a high of $117,017.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to estimate the median debt for this class of people.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in nursing. About 87.2% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 6,382 |
| Women | 43,473 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of nursing master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 4,302 |
| Black or African American | 6,966 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,333 |
| White | 27,476 |
| International Students | 353 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 4,425 |
Most Popular Nursing Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 674 colleges that offer a master’s degree in nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Chamberlain University - Illinois comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 29,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,341 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,650 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 3,923 people received their master's degree in nursing from Chamberlain - Illinois. Around 35% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. Data shows that Chamberlain - Illinois graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Western Governors University. Each year, around 147,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,302 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 3,210 people received their master's degree in nursing from WGU. About 90% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that WGU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
Grand Canyon University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,935 people received their master's degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University. About 91% of this group were women, and 49% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Grand Canyon University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 48,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,206 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,015 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,204 people received their master's degree in nursing from UT Arlington. About 89% of this group were women, and 52% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in nursing at The University of Texas at Arlington make a median salary of 106,209.
The 6th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Maryville University of Saint Louis. Roughly 10,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $24,766 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,346 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 839 people received their master's degree in nursing from Maryville U. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 88% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in nursing at Maryville University of Saint Louis make a median salary of 106,209.
University of South Alabama is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 14,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,976 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 780 people received their master's degree in nursing from USA. About 87% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of South Alabama nursing graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $106,209.
University of Alabama at Birmingham is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Each year, around 22,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,832 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,424 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 686 people received their master's degree in nursing from UAB. About 89% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UAB graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
The 10th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Frontier Nursing University. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 607 people received their master's degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 93% were women. Data shows that Frontier Nursing University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 40,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,228 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,224 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 576 people received their master's degree in nursing from UC. Of these students, 92% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
South University's online programs is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 5,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,732 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,056 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 540 people received their master's degree in nursing from South University's online programs. Around 60% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 79% were women. South University's online programs nursing graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $106,209.
Simmons University is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 6,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $44,208 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $28,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 534 people received their master's degree in nursing from Simmons. Of these students, 92% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Simmons University nursing graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $106,209.
Miami Regional University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 493 people received their master's degree in nursing from Miami Regional University. Of these students, 66% were women and 97% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in nursing at Miami Regional University make a median salary of 106,209.
Northern Kentucky University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Each year, around 16,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,512 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,206 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 466 people received their master's degree in nursing from NKU. About 86% of this group were women, and 22% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Northern Kentucky University nursing graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $106,209.
Aspen University comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 9,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,210 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,485 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 455 people received their master's degree in nursing from Aspen University. Around 35% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. Aspen University nursing graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $106,209.
University of Phoenix - Arizona is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 89,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,552 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,215 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 436 people received their master's degree in nursing from UOPX - Arizona. Of these students, 87% were women and 23% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UOPX - Arizona graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $106,209.
United States University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Each year, around 1,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,467 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,112 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 397 people received their master's degree in nursing from USU. Around 64% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 84% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in nursing at United States University make a median salary of 106,209.
University of Pennsylvania comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 26,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,620 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $41,544 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 382 people received their master's degree in nursing from UPenn. About 88% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in nursing at University of Pennsylvania make a median salary of 106,209.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to nursing that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Public Health | 17,864 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 17,274 |
| Health/Medical Admin Services | 15,811 |
| Allied Health Professions | 14,052 |
| Communication Sciences | 10,306 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Aleksahgabrielle under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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