Best institutions to study Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing
A program that prepares registered nurses to promote health and provide preventive and curative nursing services for groups or communities under the supervision of a public health agency.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 934 Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3811, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to promote health and provide preventive and curative nursing services for groups or communities under the supervision of a public health agency. Includes instruction in community and rural health, family therapy and intervention, disease prevention, health education, and community health assessment.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing program prepares registered nurses to promote health and provide essential nursing services to groups and communities. This program is ideal for individuals looking to make a significant impact on public health, working under the supervision of public health agencies. Students learn to address health challenges faced by diverse populations, focusing on preventive care and health education.
Core coursework includes community and rural health, disease prevention, family therapy, and health assessment. Students develop critical skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, which are essential for providing quality care in various community settings.
Credentials awarded
What Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree663 graduates / yr · 2 institutions71%
- Master's degree215 graduates / yr · 12 institutions23%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate19 graduates / yr · 5 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.2%
- Doctor's degree - other5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 215 |
| 2013 | 271 |
| 2014 | 180 |
| 2015 | 249 |
| 2016 | 318 |
| 2017 | 496 |
| 2018 | 910 |
| 2019 | 1,022 |
| 2020 | 1,588 |
| 2021 | 1,883 |
| 2022 | 2,011 |
| 2023 | 1,962 |
| 2024 | 1,505 |
| 2025 | 934 |
Top 21 institutions for Public Health/Community 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 | Aspen University Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 657 | 27% | — | $94,023 |
| 2 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 63 | 93% | — | $75,458 |
| 3 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 61 | 43% | $21,535 | $92,781 |
| 4 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 37 | 87% | — | $87,715 |
| 5 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, ALPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 22 | 55% | — | $68,896 |
| 6 | Worcester State University Worcester, MAPublicMaster's | 18 | 61% | — | $75,249 |
| 7 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, ARPublicMaster's | 14 | 49% | — | $63,323 |
| 8 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 65% | — | $75,809 |
| 9 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 10 | 85% | — | $72,251 |
| 10 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicMaster's | 6 | 82% | — | $86,404 |
| 11 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert. | 6 | 75% | — | $71,105 |
| 12 | Bluefield University Bluefield, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 18% | $22,057 | $70,698 |
| 13 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 60% | $19,033 | $70,680 |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicMaster's | 4 | 52% | — | $75,659 |
| 15 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster's | 4 | 57% | — | $103,692 |
| 16 | Coppin State University Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 3 | 26% | — | $76,661 |
| 17 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 63% | — | $72,051 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 83% | — | $81,452 |
| 19 | Methodist College Peoria, ILPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 20% | $14,867 | $67,809 |
| 20 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 73% | $22,701 | $69,047 |
| 21 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicMaster's | 1 | 48% | — | $73,235 |
* 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 15 states
Where Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 | 718 | Aspen University657 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 63 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor63 / yr |
| California | 1 | 37 | University of California - Irvine37 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 24 | Worcester State University18 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 22 | Jacksonville State University22 / yr |
| Ohio | 3 | 17 | Ohio University - Main Campus10 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 14 | University of Arkansas at Monticello14 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 10 | Binghamton University6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus10 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 6 | Bluefield University6 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 5 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health5 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 3 | Coppin State University3 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | East Carolina University3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Methodist College1 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 1 | Rhode Island College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, or Nursing Instructors. The job outlook for registered nurses is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3811
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 Public Health/Community 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
- 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 - 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 - 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 in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and monitoring.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Nursing Instructor.
What is the job outlook for registered nurses?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What is the CIP code for Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing?+
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing is CIP 51.3811 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 promote health and provide preventive and curative nursing services for groups or communities under the supervision of a public health agency. Includes instruction in community and rural health, family therapy and intervention, disease prevention, health education, and community health assessment.
How many institutions offer Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 934 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 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 $75,249 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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