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Master's Degree in Nursing

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Master’s Degrees in Nursing

51,608 Yearly Graduations
$94,353 Median Salary
87% Women
A master's degree in nursing is offered at 674 colleges in the United States. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were women, and 34% were students from underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Also, 0.7% of nursing graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Nursing Majors

In 2020-2021, 51,608 master's degrees were awarded to nursing majors. 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 51,608
Doctor’s Degree 10,943
Graduate Certificate 4,413

Earnings of Nursing Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in nursing is $94,353. 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 $88,461 to a high of $104,120.

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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 87.0% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 6,710
Women 44,898
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The racial-ethnic distribution of nursing master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 3,873
Black or African American 6,592
Hispanic or Latino 5,524
White 30,237
International Students 337
Other Races/Ethnicities 5,045
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There are 674 colleges that offer a master’s degree in nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
4,104 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
43% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Walden University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree. Each year, around 49,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,064 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,651 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 4,104 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Walden University. Of these students, 87% were women and 43% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

3,923 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $19,117 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,000 per year. The nursing program at Chamberlain University - Illinois awarded 3,923 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

#3

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
3,210 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $7,162 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,500 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 3,210 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at WGU. Of these students, 91% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
1,935 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $16,401 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,621 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,935 people received their master's degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University. Around 46% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

1,204 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
48% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 2020-2021 academic year, 1,204 people received their master's degree in nursing from UT Arlington. Of these students, 88% were women and 48% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
839 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
23% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 839 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Maryville U. Of these students, 87% were women and 23% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
780 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $8,256 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,226 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 780 people received their master's degree in nursing from USA. Of these students, 88% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#8

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
686 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $8,568 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,100 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 686 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at UAB. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women.

#9

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
643 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 9th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Capella University. Each year, around 38,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,148 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,784 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 643 people received their master's degree in nursing from Capella University. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 93% were women.

#10

Frontier Nursing University

Hyden, Kentucky
607 Yearly Graduations
95% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 2020-2021 academic year, 607 people received their master's degree in nursing from Frontier Nursing University. About 95% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

576 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,099 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,224 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 576 people received their master's degree in nursing from UC. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women.

540 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
50% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $14,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,000 per year. The nursing program at South University's online programs awarded 540 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 83% of this group were women, and 50% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#13

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
534 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $41,872 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,384 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 534 people received their master's degree in nursing from Simmons. About 92% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#14

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
526 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Purdue University Global is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Each year, around 43,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,080 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,730 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 526 people received their master's degree in nursing from Purdue University Global. Around 36% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women.

#15

Miami Regional University

Miami Springs, Florida
493 Yearly Graduations
59% Women
99% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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. The nursing program at Miami Regional University awarded 493 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 59% were women and 99% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#16

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
466 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $10,008 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,900 per year. The nursing program at Northern Kentucky University awarded 466 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 88% of this group were women, and 12% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#17

Aspen University

Denver, Arizona
455 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $4,545 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $3,900 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 455 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Aspen University. Of these students, 90% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

436 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $16,153 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 436 people received their master's degree in nursing from UOPX - Arizona. About 89% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#19

United States University

San Diego, California
397 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
63% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $5,300 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,000 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 397 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at USU. Around 63% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 83% were women.

#20

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
382 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

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 $54,652 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,732 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 382 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at UPenn. About 90% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to nursing that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Public Health 16,133
Mental & Social Health Services 14,517
Allied Health Professions 12,328
Communication Sciences 9,211
Rehabilitation Professions 9,152

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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