Best institutions to study Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living.
293 U.S. institutions graduated 14,703 Family Practice Nurse/Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3805, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Nurse Practitioners occupation (BLS SOC 29-1171).
About Family Practice Nurse/Nursing programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. Includes instruction in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathopsychology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Family Practice Nurse/Nursing program prepares registered nurses to deliver comprehensive care to individuals and families within the context of family living. This program focuses on equipping nurses with the skills necessary to provide independent general care, emphasizing holistic practices and family-centered health care. It is ideal for those looking to advance their nursing careers in family practice settings.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in family theory, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, and pediatric and gerontological practices. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet diverse patient needs.
Credentials awarded
What Family Practice Nurse/Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree12,403 graduates / yr · 204 institutions84%
- Post-master's certificate1,305 graduates / yr · 141 institutions8.9%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice573 graduates / yr · 54 institutions3.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship156 graduates / yr · 15 institutions1.1%
- Bachelor's degree151 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate105 graduates / yr · 17 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - other9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,053 |
| 2013 | 5,689 |
| 2014 | 6,684 |
| 2015 | 8,304 |
| 2016 | 11,165 |
| 2017 | 12,555 |
| 2018 | 14,695 |
| 2019 | 15,522 |
| 2020 | 16,793 |
| 2021 | 16,100 |
| 2022 | 16,636 |
| 2023 | 15,152 |
| 2024 | 14,847 |
| 2025 | 14,703 |
Top 50 institutions for Family Practice Nurse/Nursing, 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 | Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, ILPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 1,828 | 42% | $29,024 | $83,188 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 772 | 54% | — | $85,513 |
| 3 | South University - Savannah Online Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 697 | 7% | $28,691 | $77,635 |
| 4 | Miami Regional University Miami Springs, FLPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 664 | 84% | $31,560 | $58,437 |
| 5 | United States University Sandy Springs, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 649 | — | $21,557 | — |
| 6 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 362 | 49% | — | $76,344 |
| 7 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicMaster'sMaster's | 325 | 50% | — | $78,468 |
| 8 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 279 | 28% | $20,965 | $75,774 |
| 9 | Simmons University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.) | 269 | 72% | $24,848 | $85,096 |
| 10 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 255 | 63% | $31,672 | $77,224 |
| 11 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 251 | 42% | $20,346 | $65,109 |
| 12 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 214 | 43% | $21,535 | $92,781 |
| 13 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 213 | 57% | $24,639 | $100,097 |
| 14 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 205 | 66% | $24,921 | $69,116 |
| 15 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 205 | 46% | $11,580 | $85,861 |
| 16 | Frontier Nursing University Versailles, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 199 | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 191 | 21% | $15,478 | $98,826 |
| 18 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 190 | 75% | — | $71,105 |
| 19 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 168 | 31% | $9,370 | $28,122 |
| 20 | West Coast University - Anaheim - Orange County Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 161 | 60% | $36,879 | $95,859 |
| 21 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicMaster's | 138 | 71% | — | $74,463 |
| 22 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 123 | 84% | $26,589 | $75,036 |
| 23 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 122 | 50% | — | $72,429 |
| 24 | Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 121 | 53% | $19,537 | $56,509 |
| 25 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 111 | 60% | $29,994 | $107,433 |
| 26 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 111 | 69% | $26,034 | $85,656 |
| 27 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicMaster'sMaster's | 108 | 50% | — | $65,668 |
| 28 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 104 | — | — | $80,433 |
| 29 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 56% | $20,237 | $78,857 |
| 30 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicMaster's | 101 | 59% | — | $73,787 |
| 31 | St. John Fisher University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 100 | 74% | $25,213 | $73,333 |
| 32 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitMaster's | 98 | 25% | $14,659 | — |
| 33 | Columbus State University Columbus, GAPublicMaster's | 98 | 42% | — | $74,454 |
| 34 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster's | 97 | — | — | $88,877 |
| 35 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 93 | 65% | — | $75,809 |
| 36 | South University - Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate for-profitMaster's | 90 | 23% | $26,509 | $77,635 |
| 37 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 83 | 97% | $16,260 | $77,288 |
| 38 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 83 | — | — | — |
| 39 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 78 | 35% | $18,316 | $73,557 |
| 40 | Rockhurst University Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 77 | 75% | $21,890 | $69,011 |
| 41 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 77 | — | — | $82,043 |
| 42 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 73 | 64% | $19,806 | $77,680 |
| 43 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 72 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 44 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 66 | 73% | $42,705 | $90,830 |
| 45 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 65 | 55% | — | $80,210 |
| 46 | D'Youville University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 64 | 67% | $18,846 | $75,587 |
| 47 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 61 | 62% | $20,686 | $105,521 |
| 48 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 61 | 91% | $20,586 | $79,073 |
| 49 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 60 | — | — | $70,826 |
| 50 | Salve Regina University Newport, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 59 | 77% | $31,899 | $78,876 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states & territories
Where Family Practice Nurse/Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1171, Nurse Practitioners, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Family Practice Nurse/Nursing program can pursue careers as Nurse Practitioners, with a strong job outlook projected at 40.1% growth and approximately 29,500 annual openings. The median wage for this role is $129,210, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3805
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nurse Practitionersprimary SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor'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 Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 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
- Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
- Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
- Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
- Analyze and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
- Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
- Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions - Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and clinical techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, or Nursing Instructor.
What is the job outlook for Nurse Practitioners?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 40.1%.
What is the CIP code for Family Practice Nurse/Nursing?+
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing is CIP 51.3805 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. Includes instruction in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathopsychology.
How many institutions offer Family Practice Nurse/Nursing programs?+
293 U.S. institutions reported Family Practice Nurse/Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 14,703 credentials in the year. That is 4.6% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Family Practice Nurse/Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nurse Practitioners occupation, which Family Practice Nurse/Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $132,300 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $74,676 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card