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Master's Degree in Nursing

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Master’s Degrees in Nursing

51,608 Yearly Graduations
$94,353 Median Salary
87% Women
There are 674 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer a master's degree in nursing. This degree is more popular with female students, and about 34% of recent graduates were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 0.7% of nursing graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Nursing Majors

In 2020-2021, 51,608 earned their master's degree in nursing. This earns it the #1 spot on the list of the most popular master's 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 Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in nursing is $94,353. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $88,461 and the high is $104,120.

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Student Debt

We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for nursing students who are master's degree holders.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in nursing. About 87.0% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 6,710
Women 44,898
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The racial-ethnic distribution of nursing master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 3,873
Black or African American 6,592
Hispanic or Latino 5,524
White 30,237
International Students 337
Other Races/Ethnicities 5,045
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There are 674 colleges that offer a master’s degree in nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
4,104 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
43% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for nursing students seekinga master's degree is Walden University. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,064 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,651 per year. The nursing program at Walden University awarded 4,104 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 87% of this group were women, and 43% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

3,923 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Chamberlain University - Illinois. Roughly 29,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,117 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,000 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 3,923 people received their master's degree in nursing from Chamberlain - Illinois. Of these students, 90% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#3

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
3,210 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Western Governors University is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 147,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,162 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,500 per year. The nursing program at Western Governors University awarded 3,210 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 91% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
1,935 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 4th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Grand Canyon University. Roughly 103,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,401 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,621 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,935 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Grand Canyon University. Of these students, 90% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

1,204 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
48% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is The University of Texas at Arlington. Each year, around 48,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,206 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,015 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,204 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at UT Arlington. About 88% of this group were women, and 48% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
839 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
23% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Maryville University of Saint Louis is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Each year, around 10,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $24,766 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,346 per year. The nursing program at Maryville University of Saint Louis awarded 839 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 87% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#7

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
780 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of South Alabama comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 14,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,256 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,226 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 780 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at USA. About 88% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#8

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
686 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Alabama at Birmingham comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 22,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,568 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,100 per year. The nursing program at University of Alabama at Birmingham awarded 686 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 86% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
643 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Capella University is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 38,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,148 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,784 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 643 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Capella University. Of these students, 93% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#10

Frontier Nursing University

Hyden, Kentucky
607 Yearly Graduations
95% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Frontier Nursing University is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in nursing. Roughly 2,400 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 607 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Frontier Nursing University. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 95% were women.

576 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 40,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,099 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,224 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 576 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at UC. Of these students, 89% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

540 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
50% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

South University's online programs comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 5,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,000 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 540 people received their master's degree in nursing from South University's online programs. Around 50% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 83% were women.

#13

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
534 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Simmons University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 6,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $41,872 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $21,384 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 534 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Simmons. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 92% were women.

#14

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
526 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
36% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Purdue University Global comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 43,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,080 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,730 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 526 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at Purdue University Global. Of these students, 89% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

Miami Regional University

Miami Springs, Florida
493 Yearly Graduations
59% Women
99% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Miami Regional University comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 493 people received their master's degree in nursing from Miami Regional University. About 59% of this group were women, and 99% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#16

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
466 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Northern Kentucky University comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 16,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,008 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,900 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 466 people received their master's degree in nursing from NKU. Around 12% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 88% were women.

#17

Aspen University

Denver, Arizona
455 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is Aspen University. Roughly 9,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,545 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $3,900 per year. The nursing program at Aspen University awarded 455 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 90% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

436 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Phoenix - Arizona comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 89,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,552 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,153 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 436 master's degrees were handed out to nursing majors at UOPX - Arizona. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 89% were women.

#19

United States University

San Diego, California
397 Yearly Graduations
83% Women
63% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

United States University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in nursing. Roughly 1,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,300 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,000 per year. The nursing program at United States University awarded 397 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 83% were women and 63% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#20

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
382 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 20th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Pennsylvania. Each year, around 26,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,652 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,732 per year. The nursing program at University of Pennsylvania awarded 382 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Registered Nursing 18,773
Family Practice Nursing 14,286
Nursing Administration 8,411
Nursing Research & Other 1,498
Adult Health Nursing 1,456

Below are some popular majors that are similar to nursing that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded

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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