Registered Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Registered Nursing is a comprehensive academic and clinical program designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, technical expertise, and ethical foundation required to deliver high-quality patient care across diverse healthcare settings. Graduates are prepared to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care strategies that promote wellness, support recovery, and enhance the quality of life for patients of all ages and backgrounds.
- Medical-Surgical Nursing: Focuses on the care of adult patients with acute or chronic conditions, emphasizing assessment, treatment planning, and coordination of care across complex health issues.
- Pharmacology and Medication Management: Provides in-depth training in drug classifications, dosing principles, administration techniques, and monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects.
- Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making: Develops proficiency in conducting comprehensive physical examinations and using clinical reasoning to identify patient needs and guide interventions.
- Patient Education and Health Promotion: Emphasizes strategies for teaching individuals and communities about disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and self-management of chronic conditions.
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Prepares students to work effectively within healthcare teams, including coordination with physicians, therapists, and social services for holistic patient care.
- Emergency and Critical Care Principles: Covers immediate response protocols, life-support techniques, and the management of high-acuity patient situations.
- Legal, Ethical, and Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Addresses professional standards, patient rights, confidentiality, and culturally sensitive care delivery in diverse populations.
Registered Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Registered Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Registered Nursing degrees, including Registered Nurses 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 3,356,260 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nurses 29-1141 | $93,600 | $66,030 - $135,320 | 3,282,010 | $45.00 |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Registered Nursing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $66,725 in South Dakota to $119,670 in California—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Hawaii, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,356,260 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 Registered Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Registered Nursing 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 Registered Nursing is found at Chamberlain University, Illinois (9,802 graduates), Capella University (7,779 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (5,592 graduates), Walden University (4,132 graduates), and Grand Canyon University (GCU) (4,096 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 90,037 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamberlain University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
9,802 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
Capella University |
Bachelor's
|
7,779 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
|
5,592 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
Walden University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4,132 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
4,096 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2,468 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
Galen College of Nursing |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
1,491 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | galencollege.edu |
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Associate's
|
1,481 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
1,273 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
University of South Alabama (USA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
1,123 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
West Coast University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
1,115 | Anaheim, California | Private | westcoastuniversity.edu |
Keiser University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
1,096 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
NUC University (NUC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
1,079 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
Rasmussen University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
1,063 | Ocala, Florida | Private | rasmussen.edu |
ECPI University (ECPI) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
1,010 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
West Coast University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
972 | North Hollywood, California | Private | westcoastuniversity.edu |
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
941 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
West Coast University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
925 | Ontario, California | Private | westcoastuniversity.edu |
Nightingale College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
912 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | nightingale.edu |
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
889 | Draper, Utah | Private | joyce.edu |
Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
883 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
University of Alabama (UAB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
868 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
864 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
826 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
804 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
Excelsior University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
793 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
793 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
775 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
Regis College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
771 | Weston, Massachusetts | Private | regiscollege.edu |
Galen College of Nursing |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
768 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | galencollege.edu |
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
759 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
Drexel University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
696 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
Rasmussen University |
Associate's
|
691 | Rockford, Illinois | Private | rasmussen.edu |
Chamberlain University |
Bachelor's
|
674 | Houston, Texas | Private | chamberlain.edu |
William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
657 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
647 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
Jersey College |
Associate's
|
632 | Teterboro, New Jersey | Private | jerseycollege.edu |
University of Maryland (UMB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
591 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
585 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
Samuel Merritt University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
567 | Oakland, California | Private | samuelmerritt.edu |
Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
558 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
|
555 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
Hondros College of Nursing (HCON) |
Associate's
|
548 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | hondros.edu |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
544 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Emory University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
537 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Bachelor's
|
535 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
529 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
525 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
521 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
518 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
501 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
Denver College of Nursing (DCN) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
491 | Denver, Colorado | Private | denvercollegeofnursing.edu |
Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
490 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
485 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
474 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
Galen College of Nursing |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
471 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Private | galencollege.edu |
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Associate's
|
465 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
462 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
460 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Bachelor's
|
456 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
456 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
St. Thomas University (STU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
455 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
Rasmussen University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
452 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Private | rasmussen.edu |
Chamberlain University |
Bachelor's
|
452 | North Brunswick, New Jersey | Private | chamberlain.edu |
Valencia College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
446 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) |
Other Award
|
443 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Public | centralvirginia.edu |
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
440 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
438 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
Wilkes University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
438 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | wilkes.edu |
Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
437 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
Chamberlain University |
Bachelor's
|
436 | Sandy Springs, Georgia | Private | chamberlain.edu |
Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
432 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
413 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
413 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
410 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
405 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
Long Island University (LIU) |
Bachelor's
|
404 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
404 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
396 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
394 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
393 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
392 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
Marquette University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
392 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
391 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
389 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
383 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
381 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
381 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
Miami Regional University (MRU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
379 | Miami Springs, Florida | Private | mru.edu |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
374 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | pacollege.edu |
University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
369 | Flint, Michigan | Public | umflint.edu |
University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
367 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
367 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
Holy Family University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
366 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | holyfamily.edu |
University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
359 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
359 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
Molloy College |
Bachelor's
|
358 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
National University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
355 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
355 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
355 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Registered Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Registered Nursing degree?
Salaries for Registered Nursing graduates vary by role and location. Registered Nurses earn a median of $93,600 annually, while Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $79,940. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $119,670 compared to $66,725 in South Dakota. Approximately 3,356,260 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 Registered Nursing programs?
Currently 2,035 accredited institutions offer Registered Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Chamberlain University, Illinois (9,802 graduates), Capella University (7,779 graduates), and Western Governors University (WGU) (5,592 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.
Is enrollment in Registered Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 173,640 in 2010 to a peak of 259,494 in 2020, before declining slightly to 256,965 in 2023-24. This represents a 48% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Registered Nursing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Registered Nurses, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 3,356,260 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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