Why Choose a Masters in Nursing Education?
A master’s in nursing education gives students the opportunity to develop their careers further, moving them into more advanced practices and settings. With a master’s in nursing, students continue forward to work on their nurse practitioner licensing. Nurse practitioners take on more responsibilities and fall in order between registered nurses and physicians. They work with more independence and may diagnose and prescribe medications in some states.
Choosing a Masters in Nursing Education
When choosing a job in nursing, you’ll find that you have a better opportunity for earnings. Between 2019 and 2028, the field is expected to grow by 12%, meaning that there will be more job opportunities available if you have a higher degree.
Top 5 Masters in Nursing Education
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| 2 | University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| 3 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 4 | Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut |
| 5 | Emory University | Atlanta, Georgia |
You’ll also have a better chance of getting high pay. An average nurse practitioner with a master’s degree makes $94,000 annually, while those with bachelor’s degrees make only around $84,000. Experienced nurse practitioners may make an average of $103,139 annually. Late-career NPs may earn a median of around $105,695.
Below are our choices for the top 15 schools with a master’s in nursing education. They have been ranked from our top choice down. If you need help selecting a school, we can help. Tell us your preferences, and we will help you find the right program.
The Best 15 Schools with a Masters in Nursing Education
University of Virginia
Students may obtain a master’s of nursing at the University of Virginia. The program is one of the top-ranked programs in the United States and focuses on training students to go on to work in clinical settings. Some options include pediatric, neonatal, or family care (NP).
School Overview
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
The master of nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides nurses with the education needed to work in advanced roles. There is an online RN-MSN health care leadership and administration program available as well as post-graduate certificate programs.
School Overview
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University offers a master of science in nursing that prepares nurses to work in careers as nurse anesthetists, midwives, and practitioners. Students may opt for post-master’s certificates, and a flight nursing specialty is also available.
School Overview
Yale University
Yale University offers a master of nursing that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The program has a global health track available as well as several concentrations and specialties in gerontology and acute care.
School Overview
Emory University
The Master of Nursing available at Emory University is offered to students who have a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline but who want to go into nursing. The degree offers a graduate curriculum that focuses on interprofessional education and evidence-based practice. Students prepare for the NCLEX.
School Overview
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers an MSN in nursing consisting of 51 or more credit hours, depending on the curriculum and path chosen. Students can work in psychiatric mental health, as family nurse practitioners, or in other areas.
School Overview
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University offers an MSN in nursing that is flexible and innovative. The program offers dual-degree options, is accredited, and has excellent RN licensure and specialty certification pass rates that students can rely on. Specialties include pediatric care, nursing informatics, psychiatric-mental health, and others.
School Overview
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania offers a masters of science in nursing with a focus in psychiatric-mental health, neonatal, gerontology care, and other areas of the field. Students may also opt to go into health leadership or nursing and healthcare administration.
School Overview
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers a master of science in nursing that trains students as clinical nurse leaders or in nursing informatics. Classes are offered online or on-site with full- or part-time options.
School Overview
University of Washington
The University of Washington offers a master of science in clinical informatics and patient-centered technologies. The program only accepts applicants with at least a year of health care delivery experience. The program consists of 15 months of lessons for full-time students or two years for part-time students.
School Overview
Ohio State University
Ohio State University offers a traditional master of science in nursing, a graduate-entry master of science, a post-master’s study option, a master of healthcare innovation, and a master of clinical research for students looking to go into nursing at a higher level. It also offers certificates such as for nursing in school health services or the nurse educator certificate.
School Overview
Duke University
Duke University offers a master of science in nursing education that trains students to teach new nursing students. The students of this program are well-prepared to work in clinical instructor positions or as faculty in health care institutions.
School Overview
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor may choose different leadership pathways for their MS in nursing or clinical specialty pathways in nursing. The school offers a nursing education certificate as one option for an additional concentration.
School Overview
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers a master’s of nursing that prepares students to take the NCLEX and get their licenses as RNs. Students have the option to enter into the workforce at graduation or to continue studying in advanced practice specialties.
School Overview
Columbia University
The School of Nursing at Columbia University offers a master’s direct entry program for non-nurses that is a full-time, accelerated program for students who want to become RNs. The program requires over 1,000 hours of clinical work and a six-week integration in New York or one of several global sites. This program consists of 15 months of work prior to taking the NCLEX.
School Overview
Ranking Methodology
The schools above have been ranked according to their enrollment and tuition rates. Higher tuition and enrollment rates were ranked lower due to the increased costs and class sizes.
Please keep in mind that every effort has been made to provide accurate information here. However, this list is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
Want to Know More About These Rankings?
Do you work at one of these schools and want to have the information here updated? Would you like to learn how to have your school added to our list? Reach out. We’re here to help you.
