Best institutions to study Registered Nursing
Any instructional program in registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing not listed above.
99 U.S. institutions graduated 3,940 Registered Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3899, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Registered Nursing programs
Any instructional program in registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Registered Nursing program encompasses various instructional paths in registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing. This program is designed for individuals seeking to enter the healthcare field as registered nurses or advance their careers in nursing specialties. With a diverse array of colleges offering this program, students can find a suitable option to fit their educational goals.
Students in the Registered Nursing program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in psychology, medicine, and patient care, preparing graduates to provide high-quality healthcare and support to patients in various settings.
Credentials awarded
What Registered Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,926 graduates / yr · 40 institutions49%
- Master's degree1,112 graduates / yr · 33 institutions28%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice312 graduates / yr · 6 institutions7.9%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years192 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate151 graduates / yr · 13 institutions3.8%
- Associate's degree93 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.4%
- Post-master's certificate62 graduates / yr · 12 institutions1.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship40 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year28 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - other18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Registered Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,796 |
| 2013 | 3,622 |
| 2014 | 4,066 |
| 2015 | 4,278 |
| 2016 | 4,782 |
| 2017 | 4,557 |
| 2018 | 4,659 |
| 2019 | 6,308 |
| 2020 | 5,647 |
| 2021 | 5,083 |
| 2022 | 4,704 |
| 2023 | 4,355 |
| 2024 | 4,115 |
| 2025 | 3,940 |
Top 50 institutions for Registered 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 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 432 | 46% | $11,580 | $85,861 |
| 2 | Barnes - Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 296 | — | — | $66,925 |
| 3 | Purdue University Northwest Hammond, INPublicBachelor's | 201 | 43% | — | $77,691 |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 197 | 93% | — | $94,611 |
| 5 | Frontier Nursing University Versailles, KYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 176 | — | — | — |
| 6 | St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 176 | — | — | $79,203 |
| 7 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster's | 144 | 72% | — | $69,353 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 132 | 86% | — | $77,955 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 126 | 52% | — | $75,659 |
| 10 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 98 | 54% | — | $68,136 |
| 11 | Helene Fuld College of Nursing New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 92 | — | $37,574 | $92,475 |
| 12 | Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 86 | 0% | $14,535 | $73,569 |
| 13 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 84 | 43% | — | $72,381 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Altoona Altoona, PAPublicBachelor's | 84 | 17% | — | — |
| 15 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 84 | 89% | — | $75,095 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.)Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 78 | 34% | — | $77,955 |
| 17 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicPost-degree cert. | 69 | 65% | — | $72,709 |
| 18 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 63 | 50% | — | $78,468 |
| 19 | New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJPublicBachelor's | 57 | 34% | — | $90,730 |
| 20 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster'sMaster's | 54 | 91% | — | $71,594 |
| 21 | Neumann University Aston, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 54 | 54% | $28,753 | $82,238 |
| 22 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 49 | 46% | — | $76,527 |
| 23 | Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublicMaster's | 47 | — | — | $95,053 |
| 24 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicBachelor's | 46 | 39% | — | $60,857 |
| 25 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 45 | 69% | — | $73,445 |
| 26 | Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 56% | $15,357 | $68,015 |
| 27 | Southwest University at El Paso El Paso, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 43 | 59% | $19,240 | $74,637 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie - Behrend College Erie, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 44% | — | — |
| 29 | Beckfield College - Florence Florence, KYPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 32% | $28,312 | $65,659 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PAPublicBachelor's | 33 | 26% | — | — |
| 31 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Schuylkill Schuylkill Haven, PAPublicBachelor's | 33 | 32% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicBachelor's | 32 | 48% | — | $68,945 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Mont Alto Mont Alto, PAPublicBachelor's | 32 | 34% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Guam Mangilao, GUPublicBachelor's | 32 | 37% | — | — |
| 35 | Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 32% | $28,386 | $72,614 |
| 36 | Moravian University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 72% | $28,454 | $82,585 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Fayette - Eberly Lemont Furnace, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 39% | — | — |
| 38 | Ultrasound Medical Institute Wellington, FLPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 27 | 25% | — | $59,366 |
| 39 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicMaster's | 25 | 37% | — | $72,326 |
| 40 | Indiana University - Southeast New Albany, INPublicBachelor's | 24 | 39% | — | $66,302 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Scranton Dunmore, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 39% | — | — |
| 42 | American Institute of Alternative Medicine Columbus, OHPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 23 | 60% | $33,437 | $54,527 |
| 43 | Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MSPublicMaster's | 22 | 47% | — | $74,422 |
| 44 | Career Networks Institute Santa Ana, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 89% | $28,284 | $93,384 |
| 45 | Indiana University - Kokomo Kokomo, INPublicBachelor's | 21 | 46% | — | $74,172 |
| 46 | Indiana University - East Richmond, INPublicBachelor's | 16 | 40% | — | $72,491 |
| 47 | University of Pikeville Pikeville, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 42% | $13,886 | $76,570 |
| 48 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 70% | $25,812 | $105,747 |
| 49 | Heritage Valley Health System School of Nursing McKees Rocks, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | — | — | — |
| 50 | Miami Regional University Miami Springs, FLPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 16 | 84% | $31,560 | $58,437 |
* 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 33 states & territories
Where Registered Nursing 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 Registered Nursing program can pursue careers as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or nursing instructors. The job outlook for registered nurses is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600, with a typical education requirement of a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3899
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 Registered 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
- 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 this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn critical thinking, active listening, monitoring, and effective communication skills.
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 average salary for registered nurses?+
The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600.
What is the CIP code for Registered Nursing?+
Registered Nursing is CIP 51.3899 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing not listed above.
How many institutions offer Registered Nursing programs?+
99 U.S. institutions reported Registered Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states & territories, awarding 3,940 credentials in the year. That is 1.2% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Registered Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Registered 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 $73,872 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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