Best institutions to study Nursing Science
A research program that focuses on the study of advanced clinical practices, research methodologies, the administration of complex nursing services, and that prepares nurses to further the progress of nursing research through experimentation and clinical applications.
148 U.S. institutions graduated 4,605 Nursing Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3808, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Nursing Science programs
A research program that focuses on the study of advanced clinical practices, research methodologies, the administration of complex nursing services, and that prepares nurses to further the progress of nursing research through experimentation and clinical applications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nursing Science program, focusing on Registered Nursing, is designed for individuals seeking to advance their clinical practices and contribute to nursing research. This program prepares students for a range of nursing roles, emphasizing both practical skills and research methodologies essential for modern healthcare environments.
Students in the Nursing Science program develop critical skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers essential knowledge areas including psychology, medicine, and administrative practices, equipping graduates to handle complex patient care scenarios.
Credentials awarded
What Nursing Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree1,404 graduates / yr · 11 institutions31%
- Bachelor's degree1,358 graduates / yr · 15 institutions30%
- Master's degree990 graduates / yr · 47 institutions22%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship641 graduates / yr · 88 institutions14%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice136 graduates / yr · 11 institutions3.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate43 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.9%
- Post-master's certificate31 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - other2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Nursing Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,177 |
| 2013 | 4,256 |
| 2014 | 4,273 |
| 2015 | 4,408 |
| 2016 | 4,697 |
| 2017 | 4,764 |
| 2018 | 4,668 |
| 2019 | 4,704 |
| 2020 | 4,613 |
| 2021 | 4,624 |
| 2022 | 4,701 |
| 2023 | 4,481 |
| 2024 | 4,245 |
| 2025 | 4,605 |
Top 50 institutions for Nursing Science, 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 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Juan San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 454 | 24% | $5,708 | $31,869 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 360 | 49% | — | $79,672 |
| 3 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Sebastian San Sebastian, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 324 | 29% | $7,300 | $31,869 |
| 4 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Manati Manati, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 236 | — | $8,838 | $31,869 |
| 5 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 231 | 77% | $32,060 | $70,265 |
| 6 | Rivier University Nashua, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 215 | 52% | $25,065 | $74,292 |
| 7 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Villalba Villalba, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 196 | 25% | $8,445 | $31,869 |
| 8 | Rush University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 173 | — | — | — |
| 9 | University of Maine at Fort Kent Fort Kent, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster's | 152 | 39% | — | $71,551 |
| 10 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 141 | 70% | — | $95,153 |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 126 | 84% | — | $87,594 |
| 12 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Caguas Caguas, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 118 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 109 | 62% | — | $75,045 |
| 14 | EDP University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 104 | — | $9,140 | $31,869 |
| 15 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicDoctoral | 92 | 49% | — | $74,307 |
| 16 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 89 | 54% | $9,377 | $22,898 |
| 17 | Rogers State University Claremore, OKPublicBachelor's | 81 | 29% | — | $63,902 |
| 18 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicBachelor's | 81 | 58% | — | $82,137 |
| 19 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 51 | 87% | — | $87,715 |
| 20 | Benedictine University Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 48 | 50% | $23,570 | $80,136 |
| 21 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 43 | 48% | — | $67,435 |
| 22 | Wagner College Staten Island, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 65% | $27,316 | $108,746 |
| 23 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 39 | 56% | — | $68,115 |
| 24 | American College of Education Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitMaster's | 38 | — | — | — |
| 25 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 73% | — | $82,218 |
| 26 | Stanbridge University Irvine, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 35 | 62% | $25,244 | $90,853 |
| 27 | The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 34 | 54% | — | $73,963 |
| 28 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 33 | 54% | — | $75,655 |
| 29 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicMaster's | 32 | 49% | — | $75,557 |
| 30 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 31 | — | — | $88,877 |
| 31 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | — | — | $16,686 |
| 32 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 68% | $21,982 | $83,775 |
| 33 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 24 | 44% | — | $77,421 |
| 34 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicDoctoral | 24 | 49% | — | $76,344 |
| 35 | Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico Aguadilla, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 64% | $7,083 | $19,947 |
| 36 | Touro University California Vallejo, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | — | — | $100,956 |
| 37 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 23 | 51% | — | $63,301 |
| 38 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 75% | — | $69,368 |
| 39 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 22 | 79% | — | $73,068 |
| 40 | Touro University Nevada Henderson, NVPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | — | — | $100,956 |
| 41 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicDoctoral | 20 | 51% | — | $74,308 |
| 42 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 79% | $27,724 | $81,044 |
| 43 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicMaster's | 19 | 50% | — | $80,641 |
| 44 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 18 | — | — | $78,568 |
| 45 | Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 50% | $14,298 | — |
| 46 | Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 17 | 72% | $28,514 | $88,812 |
| 47 | Dewey University - Manati Manati, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 17 | 59% | $4,843 | $21,237 |
| 48 | Goodwin University East Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 58% | $30,133 | $79,227 |
| 49 | Governors State University University Park, ILPublicMaster's | 13 | 22% | — | $80,391 |
| 50 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoral | 13 | 91% | — | $71,594 |
* 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 44 states & territories
Where Nursing Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Nursing Science program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, or Nursing Instructors. The job outlook is positive, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for Registered Nurses is around $93,600, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3808
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | 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 Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Nursing Science 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
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
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 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 - 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 degrees can I earn in Nursing Science?+
You can earn an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Nursing Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for nursing graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What is the median wage for Registered Nurses?+
The median wage for Registered Nurses is approximately $93,600.
What is the CIP code for Nursing Science?+
Nursing Science is CIP 51.3808 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A research program that focuses on the study of advanced clinical practices, research methodologies, the administration of complex nursing services, and that prepares nurses to further the progress of nursing research through experimentation and clinical applications.
How many institutions offer Nursing Science programs?+
148 U.S. institutions reported Nursing Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 4,605 credentials in the year. That is 1.4% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Nursing Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Nursing Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $75,220 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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