Nursing Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Nursing Administration graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $129,210 annually, while Medical and Health Services Managers earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $147,813 compared to $90,307 in Alabama. Approximately 4,155,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 198 accredited institutions offer Nursing Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (1,633 graduates), Capella University (781 graduates), and West Coast University (WCU), Orange County (591 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3,249 in 2010 to a peak of 8,073 in 2020, before declining slightly to 7,911 in 2023-24. This represents a 143% 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.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Registered Nurses. Related occupations employ approximately 4,155,240 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.