Adult Health Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Adult Health Nursing is a specialized field focused on equipping registered nurses with the advanced clinical expertise needed to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care to adult populations across diverse healthcare settings. This program emphasizes the assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic conditions in adults, preparing professionals to play a pivotal role in promoting health and improving patient outcomes.
- Adult Primary Care: Focuses on preventive services, health promotion, and the management of common health issues in adults, emphasizing continuity of care and patient-centered approaches.
- Adult Pathophysiology: Explores the biological mechanisms of disease processes in adults, providing a foundation for understanding the progression and impact of medical conditions.
- Clinical Management of Medications and Treatments: Covers safe and effective administration, monitoring, and adjustment of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in adult patients.
- Patient Assessment and Education: Develops skills in comprehensive physical and psychosocial evaluations, along with strategies for delivering tailored health information to support self-management.
- Patient Referral and Coordination: Involves identifying appropriate care pathways and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless transitions and access to specialized services.
- Adult Health Maintenance Planning: Centers on designing individualized preventive care plans to reduce risk factors, detect conditions early, and sustain long-term wellness in adult populations.
Adult Health Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Adult Health Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Adult Health Nursing degrees, including Nurse Practitioners, 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 3,663,650 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners 29-1171 | $129,210 | $97,960 - $169,950 | 307,390 | $62.12 |
| 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 |
Adult Health Nursing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $85,040 in Arkansas to $135,317 in California—a 59% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,663,650 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 Adult Health Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 77 institutions offering Adult Health 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 Adult Health Nursing is found at Aspen University (517 graduates), NUC University (NUC) (256 graduates), Chamberlain University, Illinois (253 graduates), Oklahoma City University (OCU) (98 graduates), and Duke University (94 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,457 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen University |
Master's
|
517 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | aspen.edu |
| NUC University (NUC) |
Master's
|
256 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
253 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
94 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
Master's
|
74 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | web.musc.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
72 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
66 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| South University |
Master's
|
61 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | N/A |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
47 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Post-Master's
|
47 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| Middle Georgia State University (MGA) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
38 | Macon, Georgia | Public | mga.edu |
| Daemen University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
36 | Amherst, New York | Private | daemen.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
33 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
33 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Master's
|
32 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
31 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
27 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| St. Joseph's University (SJNY) |
Master's
|
26 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sjny.edu |
| St. John Fisher University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
25 | Rochester, New York | Private | sjf.edu |
| Methodist University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | methodist.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
|
23 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Master's
|
22 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Mercer University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
19 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
19 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Master's
|
18 | Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Felician University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Lodi, New Jersey | Private | felician.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
16 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Post-Master's
|
16 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Madonna University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Molloy College |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Master's
|
12 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
12 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Master's
|
11 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | mccn.edu |
| Ursuline College |
Master's
|
10 | Pepper Pike, Ohio | Private | ursuline.edu |
| Marquette University |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
9 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Upstate Medical University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
8 | Syracuse, New York | Public | upstate.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
6 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Russell Sage College |
Master's
|
6 | Troy, New York | Private | sage.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
6 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| Universidad Adventista de las Antillas (UAA) |
Master's
|
6 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | uaa.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Master's
|
5 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
5 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Moravian University |
Master's
|
5 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | moravian.edu |
| University of Arkansas Grantham (UA) |
Master's
|
5 | LIttle Rock, Arkansas | Public | uagrantham.edu |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (NMC) |
Doctorate (Other)
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | methodistcollege.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) |
Master's
|
4 | Newburgh, New York | Private | msmc.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
4 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Neumann University |
Master's
|
4 | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) |
Master's
|
3 | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | gmercyu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Master's
|
2 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Kent State University |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| The University of Tampa (UTampa) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Tampa, Florida | Private | ut.edu |
| DePaul University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Lewis University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Master's
|
1 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Clarkson College |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | clarksoncollege.edu |
| Monmouth University |
Master's
|
1 | West Long Branch, New Jersey | Private | monmouth.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Master's
|
1 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| Alverno College |
Master's
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | alverno.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Adult Health Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Adult Health Nursing degree?
Salaries for Adult Health Nursing graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $129,210 annually, while Registered Nurses earn around $93,600. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $135,317 compared to $85,040 in Arkansas. Approximately 3,663,650 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 Adult Health Nursing programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Adult Health Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Aspen University (517 graduates), NUC University (NUC) (256 graduates), and Chamberlain University, Illinois (253 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 Adult Health Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 951 in 2010 to 2,457 in 2023-24. This represents a 158% 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 Adult Health Nursing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 3,663,650 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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