Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing equips registered nurses with advanced clinical expertise to deliver specialized care for individuals experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. This program emphasizes holistic, evidence-based practice in diverse environments, from psychiatric hospitals to community health centers, with a focus on recovery, resilience, and long-term well-being.
- Psychopathology: In-depth study of the origins, symptoms, and progression of mental health disorders across the lifespan.
- Behavioral Health: Exploration of psychological and behavioral factors influencing mental wellness and illness, including patterns of thought and action.
- Counseling and Intervention Strategies: Training in therapeutic communication and structured approaches to support patient change and improve functioning.
- Psychoeducation: Development of skills to empower patients and families with knowledge about mental health conditions and treatment options.
- Mental Health Assessment: Mastery of clinical tools and techniques to evaluate psychological status, risk factors, and treatment needs.
- Dual Diagnosis: Focus on identifying and managing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously.
- Stabilization and Management of Psychotic Illness: Clinical protocols for addressing acute episodes of psychosis and maintaining patient safety and stability.
- Psychiatric Care and Rehabilitation: Strategies for restoring function and quality of life through long-term recovery-oriented treatment planning.
- Substance Abuse: Understanding the physiological and psychological aspects of addiction, prevention, and treatment integration.
- Crisis Intervention: Preparation to respond effectively to mental health emergencies with de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care.
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Psychiatric and Mental 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 |
Psychiatric and Mental 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 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Psychiatric and Mental 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 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing is found at Walden University (360 graduates), Purdue University Global (349 graduates), Chamberlain University, Illinois (337 graduates), Herzing University, Madison (286 graduates), and Frontier Nursing University (FNU) (280 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,152 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University |
Post-Master's
|
360 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
349 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
337 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| Herzing University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
286 | Madison, Wisconsin | Private | herzing.edu |
| Frontier Nursing University (FNU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
280 | Versailles, Kentucky | Private | frontier.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
262 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
134 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
128 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
91 | Irvine, California | Public | umassglobal.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
70 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
66 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
64 | Los Angeles, California | Private | cdrewu.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
60 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
47 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
47 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
46 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Post-Master's
|
43 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
43 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Molloy College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
41 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
38 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
35 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) |
Post-Master's
|
33 | Pomona, California | Private | westernu.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
33 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
33 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Post-Master's
|
32 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) |
Postbac Cert.
|
31 | Utica, New York | Public | sunypoly.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Post-Master's
|
29 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Russell Sage College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
29 | Troy, New York | Private | sage.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
29 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
29 | Provo, Utah | Private | rm.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
28 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Husson University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
28 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
26 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Upstate Medical University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
26 | Syracuse, New York | Public | upstate.edu |
| Norwich University |
Post-Master's
|
26 | Northfield, Vermont | Private | norwich.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
25 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Graceland University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
24 | Lamoni, Iowa | Private | graceland.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
24 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Post-Master's
|
23 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions (MGH IHP) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mghihp.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | mccn.edu |
| Clarkson College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | clarksoncollege.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Newburgh, New York | Private | msmc.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
20 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
| University of St Francis (USF) |
Post-Master's
|
19 | Joliet, Illinois | Private | stfrancis.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
19 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
19 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Post-Master's
|
18 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| King University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
18 | Bristol, Tennessee | Private | king.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Ursuline College |
Post-Master's
|
17 | Pepper Pike, Ohio | Private | ursuline.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Alverno College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | alverno.edu |
| Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | Harrogate, Tennessee | Private | lmunet.edu |
| Samford University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
15 | Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Post-Master's
|
15 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Post University |
Master's
|
14 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Post-Master's
|
14 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
13 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Allen College |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
13 | Waterloo, Iowa | Private | allencollege.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Post-Master's
|
13 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Post-Master's
|
13 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
12 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
12 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Rivier University |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Nashua, New Hampshire | Private | rivier.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
12 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Professional)
|
11 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Southern Adventist University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
11 | Collegedale, Tennessee | Private | southern.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| McNeese State University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | mcneese.edu |
| Cox College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | coxcollege.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Dewey University |
Master's
|
10 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | Private | dewey.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| University of Saint Joseph (USJ) |
Post-Master's
|
9 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | usj.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Post-Master's
|
9 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
9 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Creighton University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
8 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Master's
|
8 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| St. John Fisher University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Rochester, New York | Private | sjf.edu |
| Mount Marty University (MMU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Yankton, South Dakota | Private | mountmarty.edu |
| Union University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Radford University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Radford, Virginia | Public | radford.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Lewis University |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Flint, Michigan | Public | umflint.edu |
| Gardner-Webb University (GWU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | Private | gardner-webb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing programs
How much can I earn with a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing degree?
Salaries for Psychiatric and Mental 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 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing programs?
Currently 163 accredited institutions offer Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Walden University (360 graduates), Purdue University Global (349 graduates), and Chamberlain University, Illinois (337 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 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 260 in 2010 to 4,379 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,584% 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 Psychiatric and Mental 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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