Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing
Education Levels of Nursing Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 153,413 people earned their bachelor's degree in nursing. This makes it the 2nd most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in nursing at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 153,413 |
| Associate Degree | 82,967 |
| Master’s Degree | 49,855 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 13,058 |
| Graduate Certificate | 5,204 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 2,434 |
| Basic Certificate | 1,183 |
Earnings of Nursing Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in nursing is $74,888. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $70,266 to a high of $81,038.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in nursing is $20,508. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $30,900 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $13,850.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $244.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in nursing. About 87.1% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 19,860 |
| Women | 133,553 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of nursing bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 12,271 |
| Black or African American | 18,368 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 24,114 |
| White | 85,135 |
| International Students | 1,449 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 12,076 |
Most Popular Nursing Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 1,161 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for nursing students seekinga bachelor's degree is Western Governors University. Each year, around 147,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,302 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 10,730 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from WGU. About 89% of this group were women, and 28% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Western Governors University nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
Chamberlain University - Illinois comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 29,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,341 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,650 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 8,124 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from Chamberlain - Illinois. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at Chamberlain University - Illinois make a median salary of 74,888.
Grand Canyon University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 103,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,390 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,138 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4,530 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University. Of these students, 86% were women and 63% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at Grand Canyon University make a median salary of 74,888.
The University of Texas at Arlington is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. Roughly 48,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,206 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,015 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 3,456 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from UT Arlington. About 86% of this group were women, and 59% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UT Arlington graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $74,888.
The 6th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Ohio University - Athens Campus. Each year, around 25,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,746 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 2,089 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from OHIO Athens. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 87% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at Ohio University - Athens Campus make a median salary of 74,888.
The 7th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Aspen University. Each year, around 9,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,210 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,485 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,430 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from Aspen University. About 89% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at Aspen University make a median salary of 74,888.
The 8th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is West Coast University - Orange County. Roughly 4,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $21,558 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,719 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 971 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County. Around 80% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 78% were women. West Coast University - Orange County nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
The 9th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Southern New Hampshire University. Roughly 134,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 945 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from SNHU. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 85% were women. Southern New Hampshire University nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
National University College is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. Each year, around 25,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,314 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,314 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 919 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from National University College. About 80% of this group were women, and 99% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that National University College graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $74,888.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. Each year, around 5,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,360 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 917 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from TTUHSC. Of these students, 89% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center make a median salary of 74,888.
University of Phoenix - Arizona comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Roughly 89,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,552 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,215 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 876 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from UOPX - Arizona. About 87% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in nursing at University of Phoenix - Arizona make a median salary of 74,888.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. Each year, around 17,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,443 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,979 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 782 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from UNCW. About 92% of this group were women, and 22% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UNCW graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $74,888.
West Coast University - Los Angeles comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 778 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from West Coast University - Los Angeles. About 80% of this group were women, and 64% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that West Coast University - Los Angeles graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $74,888.
University of Central Florida comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Roughly 71,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 772 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from UCF. About 87% of this group were women, and 49% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Central Florida nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
The 17th most popular school in the country for nursing majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is West Coast University - Ontario. Each year, around 2,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 698 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from West Coast University - Ontario. About 80% of this group were women, and 81% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. West Coast University - Ontario nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
The University of Texas at Tyler is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing. Roughly 9,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,020 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,534 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 630 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from UT Tyler. Of these students, 89% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Tyler graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $74,888.
Galen College of Nursing - Louisville comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in nursing. Each year, around 2,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 623 people received their bachelor's degree in nursing from Galen College of Nursing - Louisville. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women. Galen College of Nursing - Louisville nursing graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $74,888.
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to nursing that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Health Sciences & Services | 19,276 |
| Health/Medical Admin Services | 17,004 |
| Communication Sciences | 11,325 |
| Allied Health Professions | 7,962 |
| Other Health Professions | 4,108 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Aleksahgabrielle under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.