Family Practice Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Family Practice Nursing equips registered nurses with advanced expertise to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care across the lifespan within the context of family systems. This program emphasizes holistic, evidence-based practice that integrates medical, psychological, and social dimensions of health, preparing professionals to serve diverse family units in community and primary care settings.
- Family Theory and Intervention: Explores the dynamics of family structure, function, and development, with a focus on applying theoretical frameworks to assess and support family health and resilience.
- Role Synthesis: Develops the ability to integrate multiple nursing roles—clinician, educator, advocate, and counselor—within the complex environment of family-centered care.
- Family Primary Care: Focuses on the delivery of preventive, diagnostic, and ongoing management services tailored to the unique needs of families across the life course.
- Nursing Practice and Health Care Policy: Examines the influence of policy, ethics, and regulatory frameworks on clinical decision-making and access to equitable care.
- Holistic Practice: Emphasizes a comprehensive approach to health that considers physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental factors in treatment planning.
- Pediatric Practice: Builds specialized knowledge in child development, growth monitoring, immunizations, and the management of acute and chronic conditions in infants, children, and adolescents.
- Gerontological Practice: Addresses the health challenges and care needs of older adults, including chronic disease management, cognitive health, and end-of-life care.
- Health Assessment: Trains in advanced techniques for comprehensive physical and psychosocial evaluations across age groups and family contexts.
- Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics: Covers the safe and effective use of medications, including pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and individualized treatment regimens.
- Clinical Techniques: Provides hands-on training in essential procedures, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic interventions used in outpatient and community-based settings.
- Pathopsychology: Investigates the psychological and emotional dimensions of illness, including stress responses, coping mechanisms, and mental health conditions across the family life cycle.
Family Practice Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Family Practice Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Family Practice 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 |
Family Practice 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 Family Practice Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Family Practice 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 Family Practice Nursing is found at Chamberlain University, Illinois (2,371 graduates), United States University (USU) (758 graduates), The University of Texas, Arlington (730 graduates), Miami Regional University (MRU) (524 graduates), and South University, Savannah Online (468 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 12,989 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 |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
2,371 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| United States University (USU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
758 | San Diego, California | Private | usuniversity.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
730 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| Miami Regional University (MRU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
524 | Miami Springs, Florida | Private | mru.edu |
| South University |
Master's
|
468 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | N/A |
| Simmons University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
390 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
364 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
292 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
258 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
248 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
245 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
216 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
209 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Master's
|
206 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Frontier Nursing University (FNU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
204 | Versailles, Kentucky | Private | frontier.edu |
| Herzing University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
191 | Madison, Wisconsin | Private | herzing.edu |
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
158 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Master's
|
152 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
142 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
137 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Post University |
Master's
|
130 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
124 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
122 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| South College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
121 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | south.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
120 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
118 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| Clarkson College |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
115 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | clarksoncollege.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
115 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
|
110 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
106 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | downstate.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Master's
|
104 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| Utica University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
98 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
96 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
93 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Master's
|
89 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
89 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| St. John Fisher University |
Master's
|
88 | Rochester, New York | Private | sjf.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
87 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
85 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
83 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
76 | Utica, New York | Public | sunypoly.edu |
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
74 | Los Angeles, California | Private | cdrewu.edu |
| Samuel Merritt University (SMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
72 | Oakland, California | Private | samuelmerritt.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
71 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| South University |
Master's
|
69 | Tampa, Florida | Private | N/A |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
67 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
63 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
62 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
59 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
58 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
| Graceland University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
55 | Lamoni, Iowa | Private | graceland.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Master's
|
54 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
54 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Walden University |
Post-Master's
|
52 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| American University of Health Sciences (AUHS) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51 | Signal Hill, California | Private | auhs.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Master's
|
50 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Upstate Medical University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
50 | Syracuse, New York | Public | upstate.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
49 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Bradley University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
48 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Master's
|
48 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
|
47 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Molloy College |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Carlow University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
45 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
43 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
40 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
39 | Newburgh, New York | Private | msmc.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
39 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Keiser University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
38 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
| Mercy University |
Master's
|
38 | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Private | mercy.edu |
| Florida National University (FNU) |
Post-Master's
|
38 | Hialeah, Florida | Private | fnu.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
37 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
37 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
37 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| King University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
37 | Bristol, Tennessee | Private | king.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Master's
|
36 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Master's
|
36 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
36 | Provo, Utah | Private | rm.edu |
| Rockhurst University |
Master's
|
35 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | rockhurst.edu |
| Dominican University New York |
Master's
|
35 | Orangeburg, New York | Private | duny.edu |
| Le Moyne College |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
35 | Syracuse, New York | Private | lemoyne.edu |
| Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
35 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | tamucc.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
35 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
32 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
32 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Samford University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
31 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Master's
|
31 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| Marshall University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
31 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30 | Standish, Maine | Private | sjcme.edu |
| University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30 | Bronx, New York | Private | mountsaintvincent.edu |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | mccn.edu |
| DeSales University |
Master's
|
28 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Westminster University |
Master's
|
28 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | westminstercollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Family Practice Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Family Practice Nursing degree?
Salaries for Family Practice 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 Family Practice Nursing programs?
Currently 292 accredited institutions offer Family Practice Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Chamberlain University, Illinois (2,371 graduates), United States University (USU) (758 graduates), and The University of Texas, Arlington (730 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 Family Practice Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,951 in 2010 to a peak of 16,801 in 2020, before declining slightly to 14,847 in 2023-24. This represents a 403% 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 Family Practice 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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