2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing
Ranked #2 in popularity,
nursing is one of the most sought-after master's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
In 2022, College Factual analyzed 664 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 50,422 master's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings
Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Master's Degree
The nursing master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future.
As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing ranking.
A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for nursing, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.
One Size Does Not Fit All
This ranking is just one of the many we have created.
First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above.
Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location.
On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.
Most Popular Schools for Master’s Students to Study Nursing in the United States
Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Master's
4,106
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In MN
#2
Best Quality In MN
Walden University is a popular decision for students pursuing a master's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.
There were about 4,106 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $90,900 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Walden University
3,640
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In IL
#1
Best Quality In IL
Every student who is interested in a master's degree in nursing has to look into Chamberlain University - Illinois. Chamberlain - Illinois is a very large private for-profit university located in the suburb of Addison. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Illinois.
There were roughly 3,640 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain - Illinois in the most recent data year.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $90,300 for their early career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Chamberlain University - Illinois
2,579
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In UT
#1
Best Quality In UT
Western Governors University is a popular choice for individuals pursuing a master's degree in nursing. WGU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Utah.
There were about 2,579 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at WGU in the most recent data year.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $83,900 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Western Governors University
1,782
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In AZ
#2
Best Quality In AZ
Any student who is interested in a master's degree in nursing has to look into Grand Canyon University. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Arizona.
There were approximately 1,782 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year.
Soon after graduating, nursing master's recipients usually make about $94,000 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Grand Canyon University
1,406
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In TX
#7
Best Quality In TX
Located in the city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Texas.
There were roughly 1,406 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UT Arlington in the most recent data year.
Nursing master's degree recipients from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a boost of approximately $3,427 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a master’s in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington
974
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In GA
#19
Best Quality In GA
South University's online programs is a moderately-sized private for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Savannah.
There were approximately 974 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at South University's online programs in the most recent year we have data available.
Soon after graduating, nursing master's recipients generally make an average of $88,400 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from South University’s online programs
846
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In MO
#1
Best Quality In MO
Maryville U is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Missouri.
There were about 846 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Maryville U in the most recent data year.
Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients usually make around $91,400 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Maryville University of Saint Louis
666
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In AL
#3
Best Quality In AL
USA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Mobile. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Alabama.
There were roughly 666 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USA in the most recent year we have data available.
After graduation, nursing master's recipients generally earn around $94,000 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of South Alabama
617
Annual Master's Degrees
#2
Most Popular In AL
#1
Best Quality In AL
Located in the midsize city of Birmingham, UAB is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Alabama.
There were about 617 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UAB in the most recent data year.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $91,900.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Alabama at Birmingham
613
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In KY
#1
Best Quality In KY
Located in the rural area of Hyden, Frontier Nursing University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Kentucky.
There were approximately 613 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Frontier Nursing University in the most recent year we have data available.
After graduating, nursing master's recipients typically earn around $90,100 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Frontier Nursing University
588
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In MA
#1
Best Quality In MA
Simmons is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Massachusetts.
There were approximately 588 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Simmons in the most recent year we have data available.
Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $95,000.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Simmons University
575
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In OH
#4
Best Quality In OH
UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in Ohio.
There were roughly 575 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available.
Soon after graduating, nursing master's recipients typically earn an average of $92,400 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
527
Annual Master's Degrees
#2
Most Popular In MN
#10
Best Quality In MN
Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
There were roughly 527 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent year we have data available.
Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $86,200 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Capella University
526
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In IN
#10
Best Quality In IN
Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public university with a fairly large student population.
There were roughly 526 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Global in the most recent data year.
Soon after graduating, nursing master's recipients usually earn about $92,200 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Purdue University Global
493
Annual Master's Degrees
#1
Most Popular In FL
#22
Best Quality In FL
Located in the large suburb of Miami Springs, Miami Regional University is a private for-profit university with a fairly small student population.
There were approximately 493 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Miami Regional University in the most recent data year.
More information about a master’s in nursing from Miami Regional University