Nursing Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Nursing Education programs are designed for registered nurses seeking to advance into teaching and leadership roles within academic institutions, clinical training environments, and professional staff development initiatives. This specialized field equips educators with the expertise to shape the next generation of nursing professionals through evidence-based instruction and innovative pedagogical strategies.
- Advanced Nursing Practice: Deepens clinical expertise and decision-making skills in complex healthcare environments, preparing educators to model best practices in patient care and professional standards.
- Nursing Role Development: Explores the evolution of professional identity, leadership responsibilities, and ethical accountability within diverse healthcare and educational contexts.
- Curriculum and Instruction: Focuses on designing effective learning experiences grounded in educational theory, learning outcomes, and alignment with national nursing standards and accreditation requirements.
- Program and Course Design: Teaches systematic approaches to developing structured, competency-based educational programs and individual courses that meet institutional and regulatory benchmarks.
- Clinical Instruction: Develops skills in guiding student learning in real-world clinical settings, emphasizing safety, critical thinking, and performance feedback.
- Evaluation of Learning: Covers methods for assessing student performance through formative and summative assessments, ensuring validity, reliability, and continuous improvement in educational outcomes.
Nursing Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Nursing Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Nursing Education degrees, including Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 250,670 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033 | $103,960 | $63,820 - $212,420 | 176,420 | $49.98 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Nursing Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $71,675 in Arkansas to $119,620 in Alaska—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, New Jersey, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 250,670 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Nursing Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Nursing Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Nursing Education is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (1,039 graduates), Capella University (755 graduates), Galen College of Nursing, Louisville (164 graduates), The University of Texas, Arlington (128 graduates), and University of Phoenix (UOPX), Arizona (100 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,801 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
1,039 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
755 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Galen College of Nursing |
Master's
|
164 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | galencollege.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
128 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
100 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Post University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
92 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| Columbia Central University (CCU) |
Master's
|
90 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | columbiacentral.edu |
| NUC University (NUC) |
Master's
|
73 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Master's
|
59 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences |
Associate's
|
48 | New York, New York | Private | swedishinstitute.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Master's
|
46 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms (Elms College) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
45 | Chicopee, Massachusetts | Private | elms.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Master's
|
43 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| University of the District of Columbia (UDC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
40 | Washington, District of Columbia | Public | udc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
36 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Master's
|
36 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
32 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| United States University (USU) |
Master's
|
30 | San Diego, California | Private | usuniversity.edu |
| Framingham State University (FSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
29 | Framingham, Massachusetts | Public | framingham.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
26 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Herzing University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
26 | Madison, Wisconsin | Private | herzing.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Master's
|
25 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Delhi) |
Master's
|
24 | Delhi, New York | Public | delhi.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Post-Master's
|
24 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| Southern Illinois University (SIUE) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Edwardsville, Illinois | Public | siue.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
21 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Empire State University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
21 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Master's
|
19 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (NMC) |
Master's
|
18 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | methodistcollege.edu |
| South University |
Master's
|
18 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | N/A |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
|
17 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
17 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Clarkson College |
Master's
|
14 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | clarksoncollege.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Carlow University |
Master's
|
14 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
14 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| Central Methodist University (CGES) |
Master's
|
14 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Post-Master's
|
13 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| Regis University |
Post-Master's
|
13 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Master's
|
13 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) |
Master's
|
12 | Utica, New York | Public | sunypoly.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Master's
|
11 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Master's
|
10 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Master's
|
10 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
10 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
9 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
9 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Molloy College |
Master's
|
9 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Capital University |
Master's
|
9 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | capital.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Millikin University |
Master's
|
8 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Mount Mercy University (MMU) |
Master's
|
8 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Private | mtmercy.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
8 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Roberts Wesleyan University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Rochester, New York | Private | roberts.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
|
8 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| University of Arkansas Grantham (UA) |
Master's
|
8 | LIttle Rock, Arkansas | Public | uagrantham.edu |
| Benedictine University (BenU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | ben.edu |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Master's
|
7 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | downstate.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Master's
|
7 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Bellin College (Bellin) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Private | bellincollege.edu |
| Carroll University |
Master's
|
7 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Private | carrollu.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| Baker College |
Master's
|
6 | Owosso, Michigan | Private | baker.edu |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences |
Master's
|
6 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | bryanhealthcollege.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
6 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc (EDP) |
Master's
|
6 | San Sebastian, Puerto Rico | Private | edpuniversity.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
5 | Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Master's
|
5 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) |
Master's
|
5 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | uindy.edu |
| Baker University (BU) |
Master's
|
5 | Baldwin City, Kansas | Private | bakeru.edu |
| Daemen University |
Master's
|
5 | Amherst, New York | Private | daemen.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Master's
|
5 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Waynesburg University |
Master's
|
5 | Waynesburg, Pennsylvania | Private | waynesburg.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Master's
|
5 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| American Samoa Community College (ASCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Pago Pago, American Samoa | Public | amsamoa.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College) |
Master's
|
5 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | pacollege.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Master's
|
4 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Allen College |
Master's
|
4 | Waterloo, Iowa | Private | allencollege.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Master's
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Creighton University |
Master's
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Master's
|
4 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| Lourdes University |
Master's
|
4 | Sylvania, Ohio | Private | lourdes.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Nursing Education programs
How much can I earn with a Nursing Education degree?
Salaries for Nursing Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Administrators, Postsecondary earn a median of $103,960 annually, while Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $79,940. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $119,620 compared to $71,675 in Arkansas. Approximately 250,670 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Nursing Education programs?
Currently 168 accredited institutions offer Nursing Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (1,039 graduates), Capella University (755 graduates), and Galen College of Nursing, Louisville (164 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Nursing Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Administrators, Postsecondary, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 250,670 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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