Maternal and Child Health Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Maternal and Child Health Nursing is a specialized field dedicated to advancing the well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as ensuring optimal health outcomes for newborns and young children. This advanced nursing program equips registered nurses with the clinical expertise and evidence-based practices necessary to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care across the maternal-child continuum.
- Perinatal and Newborn Health Assessment: Focuses on systematic evaluation of maternal and infant physiological status, including vital signs, developmental milestones, and early detection of complications.
- Pathophysiology of Pregnancy, Fetal Development, and Neonatal Conditions: Explores the biological mechanisms underlying normal and high-risk pregnancies, fetal growth patterns, and common neonatal health challenges.
- Clinical Management of High-Risk Pregnancies and Neonates: Provides training in identifying, monitoring, and managing complex cases involving preterm labor, congenital anomalies, and other critical conditions.
- Perinatal and Neonatal Technology and Procedures: Covers the use of advanced medical devices and interventions such as fetal monitoring, neonatal resuscitation, and specialized feeding techniques.
- Maternal and Infant Patient Education: Emphasizes the development of communication strategies to support informed decision-making, promote healthy behaviors, and enhance family engagement in care planning.
Maternal and Child Health Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Maternal and Child Health Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Maternal and Child 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 |
Maternal and Child 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 Maternal and Child Health Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 17 institutions offering Maternal and Child 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 Maternal and Child Health Nursing is found at University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (36 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (33 graduates), Vanderbilt University (VU) (17 graduates), Duke University (14 graduates), and Regis University (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 160 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
36 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
33 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Creighton University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
5 | Arecibo, Puerto Rico | Private | arecibo.inter.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
4 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Caribbean University |
Master's
|
3 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | caribbean.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Maternal and Child Health Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Maternal and Child Health Nursing degree?
Salaries for Maternal and Child 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 Maternal and Child Health Nursing programs?
Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Maternal and Child Health Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (36 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (33 graduates), and Vanderbilt University (VU) (17 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 Maternal and Child Health Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 237 in 2010 to a peak of 172 in 2020, before declining slightly to 160 in 2023-24. This represents a 32% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Maternal and Child 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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