Nursing and Nursing Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Nursing and Nursing Administration is a comprehensive academic field dedicated to advancing professional excellence in patient care, healthcare leadership, and evidence-based practice. This program prepares individuals for dynamic roles across clinical, administrative, and research domains within the healthcare ecosystem.
- Advanced Clinical Practice: Focuses on specialized, patient-centered care delivery, emphasizing diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and the application of best practices in complex healthcare settings.
- Nursing Administration: Develops leadership competencies in healthcare management, including resource allocation, policy development, quality improvement, and organizational effectiveness within clinical environments.
- Nursing Research: Emphasizes the design, implementation, and evaluation of scientific studies to generate new knowledge, improve clinical outcomes, and inform evidence-based nursing practice.
- Healthcare Systems and Policy: Explores the structure, function, and regulatory frameworks of healthcare delivery systems, with attention to ethical, legal, and socioeconomic influences on nursing practice and patient care.
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Cultivates skills in teamwork across healthcare disciplines, promoting coordinated, safe, and efficient patient-centered care models.
Nursing and Nursing Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Nursing and Nursing Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Nursing and Nursing Administration 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 |
Nursing and Nursing Administration 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 Nursing and Nursing Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 98 institutions offering Nursing and Nursing Administration 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 Nursing and Nursing Administration is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (416 graduates), Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing (256 graduates), Purdue University Northwest (PNW) (214 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (211 graduates), and St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing (211 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,125 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Master's
|
416 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
256 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | barnesjewishcollege.edu |
| Purdue University Northwest (PNW) |
Bachelor's
|
214 | Hammond, Indiana | Public | pnw.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
211 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
211 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | slhn.org |
| Frontier Nursing University (FNU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
155 | Versailles, Kentucky | Private | frontier.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
149 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Master's
|
147 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
142 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Career Networks Institute (CNI College) |
Bachelor's
|
101 | Santa Ana, California | Private | cnicollege.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
97 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Helene Fuld College of Nursing (HFCN) |
Bachelor's
|
94 | New York, New York | Private | helenefuld.edu |
| Neumann University |
Bachelor's
|
84 | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Central Methodist University (CGES) |
Bachelor's
|
84 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
Other Award
|
81 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
80 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
77 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Bachelor's
|
67 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
65 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) |
Master's
|
65 | San Marcos, California | Private | usa.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
59 | Altoona, Pennsylvania | Public | altoona.psu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
53 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
49 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
|
46 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM) |
Associate's
|
42 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | aiam.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
42 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Beckfield College |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Florence, Kentucky | Private | beckfield.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
35 | Mont Alto, Pennsylvania | Public | montalto.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
34 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
| Moravian University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | moravian.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Thomas Edison State University (TESU) |
Master's
|
32 | Trenton, New Jersey | Public | tesu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
31 | Dunmore, Pennsylvania | Public | scranton.psu.edu |
| University of Guam (UOG) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Mangilao, Guam | Public | uog.edu |
| Southwest University |
Associate's
|
30 | El Paso, Texas | Private | southwestuniversity.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
|
26 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
25 | Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania | Public | schuylkill.psu.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
21 | Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania | Public | fayette.psu.edu |
| University of Saint Mary (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Leavenworth, Kansas | Private | stmary.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Master's
|
19 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| University of Pikeville (UPIKE) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Pikeville, Kentucky | Private | upike.edu |
| Mississippi University for Women (MUW) |
Master's
|
19 | Columbus, Mississippi | Public | muw.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Master's
|
19 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville |
Master's
|
19 | Steubenville, Ohio | Private | franciscan.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Barbourville, Kentucky | Private | unionky.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Ultrasound Medical Institute (AIUM) |
Associate's
|
17 | Royal Palm Beach, Florida | Private | nriinstitute.edu |
| Indiana University (IUN) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Gary, Indiana | Public | iun.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | South Bend, Indiana | Public | iusb.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| Molloy College |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Heritage Valley Health System School of Nursing |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania | Private | heritagevalley.org |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
13 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Southeastern College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
13 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | sec.edu |
| Augsburg University |
Master's
|
12 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | augsburg.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Wright State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Master's
|
12 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| La Salle University |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| Gannon University |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Delta State University (DSU) |
Master's
|
9 | Cleveland, Mississippi | Public | deltastate.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Other Award
|
8 | Flint, Michigan | Public | umflint.edu |
| Alcorn State University (ASU) |
Master's
|
8 | Alcorn State, Mississippi | Public | alcorn.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Master's
|
7 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Miami Regional University (MRU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
7 | Miami Springs, Florida | Private | mru.edu |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (NMC) |
Master's
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | methodistcollege.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | New Kensington, Pennsylvania | Public | newkensington.psu.edu |
| University of Arkansas Grantham (UA) |
Master's
|
6 | LIttle Rock, Arkansas | Public | uagrantham.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Sharon, Pennsylvania | Public | shenango.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Abington, Pennsylvania | Public | abington.psu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
4 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Master's
|
3 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| Mount Marty University (MMU) |
Doctorate (Other)
|
3 | Yankton, South Dakota | Private | mountmarty.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Illinois College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jacksonville, Illinois | Private | ic.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
|
1 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Rowan University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Master's
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
|
1 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Nursing and Nursing Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Nursing and Nursing Administration degree?
Salaries for Nursing and Nursing Administration 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 Nursing and Nursing Administration programs?
Currently 98 accredited institutions offer Nursing and Nursing Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (416 graduates), Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing (256 graduates), and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) (214 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 Nursing and Nursing Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,312 in 2010 to a peak of 5,655 in 2020, before declining slightly to 4,125 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% 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 Nursing and Nursing Administration 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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