by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you would like to help treat, examine, and heal patients, consider a degree in Nursing. A career as a nurse allows you to have face-to-face interaction with people in need; you are on the front-lines in preventing disease, fighting illness and promoting healing.
Nursing students work closely with many patients to perform physicals, administer treatments, aid in diagnostic testing, and provide basic needs, among many other tasks. Classes in biology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, psychology, and behavioral science prepare nurses to work in a variety of locations aiding doctors and assisting patients.
Nursing is a broad field and has many areas of specialization available to students. For example, students can choose a major in Registered Nursing or Nursing Administration. Depending on your interest, your studies can also focus on adult health, anesthesia, family practice, maternal and neonatal, midwifery, public health, surgery, critical care, geriatric care and more.
A major in Nursing covers Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing. Continue reading for the essential details every nursing student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nursing programs.
Across the country, nursing is a popular field of study, with 311,372 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nursing Schools ranking analyzes these 2,114 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nursing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nursing programs later in this article.
Studies in Nursing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nursing graduates commonly enter.
Since nurses work closely with patients, it is important to have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Nurses must give patients information and keep them calm during procedures and exams. Compassion and sympathy will help you sympathize with patients and make them more comfortable. Additional skills that are required for a career in nursing are analytical and critical thinking, detail-orientation, and patience.
The majority of Nursing graduates work in hospitals, however some also work in medical clinics and schools. Since the public needs health services 24/7, nurses may be required to work at night, on the weekends, and during holidays. They often work rotating shifts so they have time off to rest.
While a bachelor's degree or certification will allow nurses to pursue successful careers in nursing, some students go on to receive a graduate degree. This advanced degree allows nurses to advance to administration positions or conduct research.
The skill set built by a nursing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nursing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nursing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,663 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 85,232 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 153,340 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 56,706 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13,391 |
People currently working in careers related to nursing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 44.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nursing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Nurses have jobs in many different locations including hospitals, medical centers, schools, the armed forces, corporations, and private medical practices. They teach classes, give medical exams, and update patient information in many settings. Nurses are an important part of the work force and find jobs in almost every area of the medical field.
Due to the aging population and increase in preventative care services, the Nursing occupation is a good profession to be in.
Majoring in nursing prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to nursing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nursing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | 4,005,201 | 14.8% |
| Registered Nurses | 3,793,806 | 10.2% |
| Nurse Midwives | 3,133,839 | 12.4% |
| Nurse Practitioners | 2,031,912 | 3.3% |
| Clinical Nurse Specialists | 1,937,405 | 12.3% |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | 1,349,827 | 0.0% |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 790,445 | 5.7% |
| Critical Care Nurses | 590,563 | 14.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of nursing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,453 |
| 4 years | $80,149 |
| 5 years | $90,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nursing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nursing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | $147,651 |
| Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | $143,854 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Registered Nurses | $105,741 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,718 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $66,747 |
| Critical Care Nurses | $65,103 |
| Acute Care Nurses | $56,247 |
With 2,114 different nursing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nursing school rankings to help you.
Students interested in nursing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 99,987 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 90,379 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 90,166 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 80,693 |
| Public Health | 41,086 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 38,201 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 33,946 |
| Medicine | 29,737 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 29,603 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 24,761 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
