Best institutions to study Nursing Education
A program that prepares registered nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings, including staff development.
161 U.S. institutions graduated 3,970 Nursing Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3203, a specialization of Health Professions Education (CIP 51.32), and leads most directly to the Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 11-9033).
About Nursing Education programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings, including staff development. Includes instruction in advanced nursing practice, nursing role development, curriculum and instruction, program and course design, clinical instruction, and evaluation of learning.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nursing Education program, part of the Health Professions Education field, is designed to prepare registered nurses to teach in both academic and clinical settings. This program focuses on developing advanced nursing practices, curriculum design, and evaluation of learning outcomes, making it ideal for those looking to advance their careers in nursing education.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers advanced nursing practice, nursing role development, and instructional strategies to enhance student learning and engagement.
Credentials awarded
What Nursing Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree3,471 graduates / yr · 122 institutions87%
- Post-master's certificate150 graduates / yr · 25 institutions3.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate130 graduates / yr · 22 institutions3.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship92 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.3%
- Associate's degree66 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.7%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice38 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Bachelor's degree16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Nursing Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,329 |
| 2021 | 4,140 |
| 2022 | 3,881 |
| 2023 | 3,849 |
| 2024 | 3,933 |
| 2025 | 3,970 |
Top 50 institutions for Nursing Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 1,059 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 774 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 3 | Galen College of Nursing - Louisville Louisville, KYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 233 | 61% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 131 | 21% | $15,478 | — |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 117 | 54% | — | — |
| 6 | West Coast University - Anaheim - Orange County Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 108 | 60% | $36,879 | — |
| 7 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 86 | 25% | $14,659 | — |
| 8 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 45 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 9 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicMaster's | 43 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 43 | 54% | — | — |
| 11 | Worcester State University Worcester, MAPublicMaster's | 42 | 61% | — | — |
| 12 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 13 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 40 | 68% | $21,982 | — |
| 14 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DCPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 39 | 33% | — | $75,609 |
| 15 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicMaster'sMaster's | 39 | 50% | — | — |
| 16 | United States University Sandy Springs, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 37 | — | $21,557 | — |
| 17 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi, NYPublicMaster's | 35 | 45% | — | — |
| 18 | Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences New York, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 34 | 57% | $32,384 | — |
| 19 | Thomas University Thomasville, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 28% | $18,959 | — |
| 20 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicMaster's | 29 | 41% | — | — |
| 21 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 26 | 37% | — | — |
| 22 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 25 | 60% | $17,205 | — |
| 23 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 24 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 23 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 25 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicMaster's | 23 | — | — | — |
| 26 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 28% | $20,965 | — |
| 27 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 60% | $19,033 | — |
| 28 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicMaster's | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 29 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 30 | Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, ILPrivate for-profitMaster's | 19 | 42% | $29,024 | — |
| 31 | South University - Savannah Online Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 19 | 7% | $28,691 | — |
| 32 | Saint Xavier University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 57% | $12,935 | — |
| 33 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | — | — | — |
| 34 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 35 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 61% | $21,042 | — |
| 36 | University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SCPublicMaster's | 16 | 43% | — | — |
| 37 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 38 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 39 | West Coast University - Texas Richardson, TXPrivate for-profitMaster's | 14 | 31% | $51,992 | — |
| 40 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicMaster's | 13 | 53% | — | — |
| 41 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 13 | 76% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 13 | 75% | — | — |
| 43 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicMaster's | 13 | 50% | — | — |
| 44 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster's | 13 | 49% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicMaster's | 12 | 40% | — | — |
| 46 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 46% | $17,604 | — |
| 47 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 48 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicMaster's | 12 | 48% | — | — |
| 49 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 50% | — | — |
| 50 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 11 | 70% | $25,812 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Health Professions Education field (CIP 51.32) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 43 states & territories
Where Nursing Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Health Professions Education programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9033, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Nursing Education program often pursue careers as Education Administrators or Nursing Instructors at the postsecondary level. With an annual growth rate of 1.7% and approximately 15,100 annual openings, the median wage for these positions is around $103,960, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3203
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Education Administrators, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 11-9033 | $104,590 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~15,100 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Nursing Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
- Formulate strategic plans for the institution.
Tools and technology used
Other Health Professions Education specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Health Professions Education (CIP 51.32).
- Bioethics/CIP 51.3201
Medical Ethics 779 graduates / yr49 institutions - Medical/CIP 51.3204
Health Humanities 415 graduates / yr31 institutions - Health Professions EducationCIP 51.3202141 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Health Professions Education, Ethics, and HumanitiesCIP 51.3299partial data138 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Arts in Medicine/CIP 51.3206
Health limited data6 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- History of Medicine51.3205
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees are awarded in this program?+
Degrees awarded include Master's degrees, post-master's certificates, postbaccalaureate certificates, and doctor's degrees.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 161 colleges offering the Nursing Education program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual growth rate of 1.7% and 15,100 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Nursing Education?+
Nursing Education is CIP 51.3203 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Health Professions Education (CIP 51.32). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings, including staff development. Includes instruction in advanced nursing practice, nursing role development, curriculum and instruction, program and course design, clinical instruction, and evaluation of learning.
How many institutions offer Nursing Education programs?+
161 U.S. institutions reported Nursing Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states & territories, awarding 3,970 credentials in the year. That is 72.9% of all Health Professions Education graduates.
How much do Nursing Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Education Administrators, Postsecondary occupation, which Nursing Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $104,590 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Health Professions Education field report median earnings of $75,609 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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