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Associate Degree in Nursing

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Associate Degrees in Nursing

85,504 Yearly Graduations
$57,442 Median Salary
$20,607 Median Debt
There are 1,123 schools in the United States where you can get your associate degree in nursing. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 38% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 0.8% of nursing graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Nursing Majors

In 2020-2021, 85,504 earned their associate degree in nursing. This earns it the #1 spot on the list of the most popular associate degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in nursing at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree 165,538
Associate Degree 85,504
Master’s Degree 51,608
Doctor’s Degree 10,943
Graduate Certificate 4,413
Undergraduate Certificate 2,494
Basic Certificate 2,092

Earnings of Nursing Majors With Associate Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding an associate degree in nursing is $57,442. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $53,555 and the high is $61,208.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding an associate degree in nursing is $20,607. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $27,657 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $15,858.

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Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $171.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their associate degree in nursing. About 86.0% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 11,978
Women 73,526
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The racial-ethnic distribution of nursing associate degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 4,086
Black or African American 11,255
Hispanic or Latino 13,610
White 49,715
International Students 706
Other Races/Ethnicities 6,132
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There are 1,123 colleges that offer an associate degree in nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Excelsior College

Albany, New York
1,522 Yearly Graduations
84% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for nursing students seekingan associate degree is Excelsior College. Each year, around 21,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The nursing program at Excelsior College awarded 1,522 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 84% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
1,366 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
15% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Ivy Tech Community College is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Each year, around 63,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,366 people received their associate degree in nursing from Ivy Tech Community College. Of these students, 89% were women and 15% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

1,084 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Rasmussen University - Florida is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Roughly 9,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,694 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,567 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,084 people received their associate degree in nursing from Rasmussen University - Florida. About 89% of this group were women, and 39% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#4

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
674 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Rasmussen University - Minnesota is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Roughly 3,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,573 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,567 per year. The nursing program at Rasmussen University - Minnesota awarded 674 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 87% were women and 35% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#5

Jersey College

Teterboro, New Jersey
618 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
76% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Jersey College. Roughly 3,500 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 618 people received their associate degree in nursing from Jersey College. About 93% of this group were women, and 76% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida
614 Yearly Graduations
79% Women
89% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Miami Dade College. Each year, around 46,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The nursing program at Miami Dade College awarded 614 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 79% were women and 89% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
601 Yearly Graduations
85% Women
41% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Each year, around 20,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $20,800 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $29,632 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 601 people received their associate degree in nursing from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale. Of these students, 85% were women and 41% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#8

ECPI University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
574 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
53% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is ECPI University. Roughly 14,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,424 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,960 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 574 people received their associate degree in nursing from ECPI University. Around 53% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women.

502 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
59% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in nursing. Each year, around 2,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The nursing program at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio awarded 502 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 59% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 88% were women.

#10

Rasmussen University - Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
450 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
50% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Rasmussen University - Illinois comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in nursing. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,720 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,567 per year. The nursing program at Rasmussen University - Illinois awarded 450 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 92% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#11

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay

Saint Petersburg, Florida
448 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
42% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Roughly 2,200 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 448 people received their associate degree in nursing from Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay. Of these students, 88% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, Florida
446 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
38% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

St Petersburg College is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Each year, around 26,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 446 associate degrees were handed out to nursing majors at SPC. Of these students, 81% were women and 38% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida
445 Yearly Graduations
82% Women
33% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Florida State College at Jacksonville is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Roughly 22,300 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 445 people received their associate degree in nursing from FSCJ. Of these students, 82% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#14

AmeriTech College - Draper

Draper, Utah
400 Yearly Graduations
82% Women
13% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

AmeriTech College - Draper comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in nursing. Roughly 1,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,068 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,469 per year. The nursing program at AmeriTech College - Draper awarded 400 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 82% were women.

#15

Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
395 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Harrisburg Area Community College comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in nursing. Each year, around 15,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The nursing program at Harrisburg Area Community College awarded 395 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 88% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#16

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
380 Yearly Graduations
85% Women
56% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Lone Star College System is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Each year, around 70,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 380 associate degrees were handed out to nursing majors at North Harris Montgomery. Of these students, 85% were women and 56% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#17

Helene Fuld College of Nursing

New York, New York
373 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
87% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Helene Fuld College of Nursing. Roughly 500 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 373 associate degrees were handed out to nursing majors at HFCN. Of these students, 93% were women and 87% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

Community College of Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
348 Yearly Graduations
82% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Community College of Allegheny County comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in nursing. Roughly 13,200 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 348 people received their associate degree in nursing from CCAC. Around 20% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 82% were women.

#19

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah
335 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 19th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Weber State University. Roughly 29,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,329 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,880 per year. The nursing program at Weber State University awarded 335 associate degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 81% were women and 12% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#20

Union County College

Cranford, New Jersey
333 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
72% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Union County College is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in nursing. Each year, around 8,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 333 people received their associate degree in nursing from Union County College. Of these students, 86% were women and 72% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Registered Nursing 84,448
Nursing Science 723
Nursing Research & Other 219
Nursing Practice 80
Adult Health Nursing 34

Below are some popular majors that are similar to nursing that offer associate degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Nursing & Nursing Assistants 2,006

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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