Best institutions to study Nursing Practice
A practice-focused program that prepares registered nurses for increasingly complex evidence-based nursing practice, including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice.
322 U.S. institutions graduated 9,384 Nursing Practice students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3818, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Nurse Practitioners occupation (BLS SOC 29-1171).
About Nursing Practice programs
A practice-focused program that prepares registered nurses for increasingly complex evidence-based nursing practice, including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. Includes instruction in healthcare delivery systems, health economics and finance, health policy, research methods, translating evidence into practice, concepts in population health, and nursing leadership.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nursing Practice program, part of the Registered Nursing field, is designed for individuals seeking to advance their nursing careers through a practice-focused curriculum. This program prepares registered nurses to tackle increasingly complex healthcare challenges by emphasizing evidence-based practice and clinical innovation.
Students will gain essential skills in areas such as healthcare delivery systems, health policy, research methods, and nursing leadership. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and the application of scientific principles to improve patient care and outcomes.
Credentials awarded
What Nursing Practice graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - professional practice6,149 graduates / yr · 230 institutions66%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1,622 graduates / yr · 49 institutions17%
- Master's degree584 graduates / yr · 34 institutions6.2%
- Bachelor's degree329 graduates / yr · 12 institutions3.5%
- Doctor's degree - other266 graduates / yr · 20 institutions2.8%
- Post-master's certificate235 graduates / yr · 20 institutions2.5%
- Associate's degree130 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year44 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate24 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Nursing Practice completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,991 |
| 2013 | 2,964 |
| 2014 | 4,029 |
| 2015 | 4,439 |
| 2016 | 4,410 |
| 2017 | 5,135 |
| 2018 | 5,582 |
| 2019 | 6,242 |
| 2020 | 7,564 |
| 2021 | 7,985 |
| 2022 | 8,869 |
| 2023 | 9,212 |
| 2024 | 9,206 |
| 2025 | 9,384 |
Top 50 institutions for Nursing Practice, 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-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 587 | 42% | $29,024 | $83,188 |
| 2 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 383 | — | — | $88,877 |
| 3 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 286 | 53% | — | $69,447 |
| 4 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 229 | 64% | — | $65,173 |
| 5 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 217 | 83% | — | $84,969 |
| 6 | Rush University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 211 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 206 | 20% | $19,369 | $85,426 |
| 8 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 179 | 80% | $35,682 | $75,213 |
| 9 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 154 | 55% | — | $73,423 |
| 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 143 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 11 | Las Vegas College Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 130 | — | $30,827 | $75,561 |
| 12 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 128 | — | — | $78,568 |
| 13 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 123 | 52% | — | $68,649 |
| 14 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 114 | 68% | — | $78,168 |
| 15 | Brenau University Gainesville, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | 33% | $21,115 | $80,786 |
| 16 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 112 | 91% | — | $73,711 |
| 17 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 112 | — | — | $68,199 |
| 18 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 94 | 62% | — | $75,045 |
| 19 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 93 | 63% | — | $71,847 |
| 20 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 89 | — | — | $77,083 |
| 21 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 86 | 74% | — | $78,671 |
| 22 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicDoctoralMaster's | 86 | 57% | — | $71,161 |
| 23 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicDoctoral | 84 | — | — | $70,619 |
| 24 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master'sMaster's | 80 | 91% | $20,586 | $79,073 |
| 25 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 80 | 63% | — | $72,051 |
| 26 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 76 | 77% | — | $72,879 |
| 27 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 75 | 43% | $21,535 | $92,781 |
| 28 | Barry University Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 73 | 38% | $24,719 | $81,868 |
| 29 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 73 | 65% | $28,911 | $71,918 |
| 30 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 72 | 91% | $21,126 | $78,934 |
| 31 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 71 | — | — | $76,998 |
| 32 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 70 | 71% | — | $74,463 |
| 33 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 66 | 54% | — | $85,513 |
| 34 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 65 | 68% | — | $78,180 |
| 35 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 65 | 66% | $24,921 | $69,116 |
| 36 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 63 | 81% | — | $75,081 |
| 37 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 58 | 78% | — | $73,765 |
| 38 | Bryant & Stratton College - Syracuse North Liverpool, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 58 | 32% | $14,512 | — |
| 39 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 57 | 56% | — | $68,115 |
| 40 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 57 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 41 | University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Worcester, MAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 56 | — | — | — |
| 42 | Ashland University Ashland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.) | 55 | 61% | $21,785 | $71,445 |
| 43 | South University - Savannah Online Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 54 | 7% | $28,691 | $77,635 |
| 44 | The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 53 | 71% | $21,150 | $75,499 |
| 45 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicDoctoral | 53 | 74% | — | $65,298 |
| 46 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 52 | 28% | $20,965 | $75,774 |
| 47 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 51 | 20% | $16,588 | $86,703 |
| 48 | Anderson University Anderson, SCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 50 | 66% | $24,812 | $73,882 |
| 49 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 49 | — | — | $67,337 |
| 50 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 49 | 61% | — | $69,027 |
* 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 Nursing Practice 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 Nursing Practice 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 profession is $129,210, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3818
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 |
Medical and Health Services Managers SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | 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 Nursing Practice 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 - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 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 Doctor's degree in professional practice or other advanced degrees.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and patient care.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Nurse Practitioner, Medical and Health Services Manager, 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 Nursing Practice?+
Nursing Practice is CIP 51.3818 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A practice-focused program that prepares registered nurses for increasingly complex evidence-based nursing practice, including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. Includes instruction in healthcare delivery systems, health economics and finance, health policy, research methods, translating evidence into practice, concepts in population health, and nursing leadership.
How many institutions offer Nursing Practice programs?+
322 U.S. institutions reported Nursing Practice graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 9,384 credentials in the year. That is 3.0% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Nursing Practice graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nurse Practitioners occupation, which Nursing Practice 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 $73,882 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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