nursing phd salary

Ph.D. in Nursing Salary – 2024

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree (Ph.D. in nursing) is a terminal degree chiefly pursued by nurses who are interested either in teaching or in participating in evidence-based research that advances the practice of nursing. The average Ph.D. in nursing salary is $99,000 a year. Until relatively recently, the Ph.D. in nursing was the only option for nurses interested in doctoral-level studies. In 2006, however, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) issued established parameters for an additional terminal nursing degree called the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). A useful way of distinguishing between the nursing profession’s two terminal degrees is that Ph.Ds. discover the evidence while DNPs translate that evidence into clinical practice. Fewer than 1 percent of the nation’s 3.8 million registered nurses hold a doctoral degree, and DNPs far outnumber PhDs. in nursing. How much do Ph.D. in nursing graduates make? This article will present you with a comprehensive analysis of the salary for Ph.D. nursing graduates in 2024.

Is There A High Demand For Ph.D. in Nursing Graduates?

What career opportunities exist for ph.d. in nursing graduates, • academia:, • research facilities:, • hospitals:, • government agencies:, hourly salary for ph.d. in nursing graduates, starting salary for ph.d. in nursing graduates, average salary for ph.d. in nursing graduates, salary for ph.d. in nursing graduates by level of experience, average annual compensation for ph.d. in nursing graduates, how does ph.d. in nursing salary compare to other nursing degrees, what is the average ph.d. in nursing salary by state, 1. alabama:, 3. arizona:, 4. arkansas:, 5. california:, 6. colorado:, 7. connecticut:, 8. delaware:, 9. florida:, 10. georgia:, 11. hawaii:, 13. illinois:, 14. indiana:, 16. kansas:, 17. kentucky:, 18. louisiana:, 20. maryland:, 21. massachusetts:, 22. michigan:, 23. minnesota:, 24. mississippi:, 25. missouri:, 26. montana:, 27. nebraska:, 28. nevada:, 29. new hampshire:, 30. new jersey:, 31. new mexico:, 32. new york:, 33. north carolina:, 34. north dakota:, 36. oklahoma:, 37. oregon:, 38. pennsylvania:, 39. rhode island:, 40. south carolina:, 41. south dakota:, 42. tennessee:, 45. vermont:, 46. virginia:, 47. washington:, 48. west virginia:, 49. wisconsin:, 50. wyoming:, what are the 10 highest and lowest paying states for ph.d. in nursing graduates, average ph.d. in nursing salary by city for 2024, what is salary outlook for ph.d. in nursing graduates, 3 ways to boost your ph.d. in nursing salary, • consulting:, • teaching:, •relocating:, summing it up.

We have used the following sources to compile the salary data on this page.

PhD Education

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There is no doubt that education is the path for a nurse to achieve greater clinical expertise. At the same time, however, the nursing profession needs more nurses educated at the doctoral level to replenish the supply of faculty and researchers. The national shortage of faculty will soon reach critical proportions, having a significant impact on educational programs and their capacity to educate future generations of nursing students.

Although the number of doctorate programs has continued to increase, the total enrollment of students in these programs has remained fairly constant, resulting in a shortage of newly minted PhDs to renew faculty ranks.  As a result, approximately 50% of nursing faculty possess the doctorate as a terminal degree. Furthermore, with many advances being made in the treatment of chronic illnesses, there is a continuing need for research that assists patients in living with their illness.  This research requires individual investigators who are prepared on the doctoral level.

One reason there is a lack of nurses prepared at the doctoral level is that, compared with other professions, nurses have more interruptions in their careers. Many in the profession are females who work as nurses while fulfilling responsibilities as wives and mothers.  As a result, many pursue their education on a part-time basis. Also, the nursing profession traditionally has viewed clinical experience as being a prerequisite to graduate education. This career path results in fewer individuals completing the doctorate at an earlier stage in their career, thereby truncating their productivity as academics, researchers, and administrators. To reverse this trend, many nursing schools have developed programs that admit students into graduate (doctorate and master's) programs directly from their undergraduate or master's programs.

Nursing Research

When nurses do research for their doctorates, many people tend to think that it focuses primarily on nurses and nursing care. In reality, nurses carry out clinical research in a variety of areas, such as diabetes care, cancer care, and eating disorders. 

In the last thirty years, advances in medicine have involved, for the most part, advancing treatment not cures. In other words, no cure for the illness has been discovered, but treatment for that illness has improved. However, sometimes the treatment itself causes problems for patients, such as the unwelcome side effects of chemotherapy. Nurses have opportunities to devise solutions to problems like these through research, such as studies on how to manage the illness and its treatment, thereby allowing individuals to lead happy and productive lives.

The Curricula

Doctoral programs in nursing are aimed at preparing students for careers in health administration, education, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. Basically, doctoral programs prepare nurses to be experts within the profession, prepared to assume leadership roles in a variety of academic and clinical settings, course work and research, students are trained as researchers and scholars to tackle complex health-care questions. Program emphasis may vary from a focus on health education to a concentration on policy research. The majority of doctoral programs confer the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but some award the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), and the Doctor of Education (EdD).

Doctoral nursing programs traditionally offer courses on the history and philosophy of nursing and the development and testing of nursing and other healthcare techniques, as well as the social, economic, political, and ethical issues important to the field. Data management and research methodology are also areas of instruction. Students are expected to work individually on research projects and complete a dissertation.

Doctoral programs allow study on a full- or part-time basis. For graduate students who are employed and therefore seek flexibility in their schedules, many programs offer courses on weekends and in the evenings.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for doctoral programs vary. Generally, a master's degree is necessary, but in some schools a master's degree is completed in conjunction with fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements. Standard requirements include an RN license, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an essay. Students applying for doctoral-level study should have a solid foundation in nursing and an interest in research. Programs are usually the equivalent of three to five years of full-time study.

Selecting a Doctoral Program

Selecting a doctoral program comes down to personal choice. Students work closely with professors, and, thus, the support and mentoring you receive while pursuing your degree is as vital as the quality of the facilities. The most important question is whether there is a "match" between your research interest and faculty research. Many of the same questions you would ask about baccalaureate and master's degree programs apply to doctoral programs. However, in a doctoral program, the contact with professors, the use of research equipment and facilities, and the program's flexibility in allowing you to choose your course of study are critical.

Some questions to consider asking include: Are there opportunities to present research findings at professional meetings? Is scholarship of faculty, alumni, and students presented at regional and national nursing meetings and subsequently published? Has the body of research done at a university enhanced the knowledge of nursing and health care?

Other questions to consider include: Does the university consider research a priority? Does the university have adequate funding for student research? Many nurses with doctorate degrees make the natural transition into an academic career, but there are many other career options available for nurses prepared at this level. For example, nurses prepared at the doctoral level are often hired by large consulting firms to work with others in designing solutions to health-care delivery problems. Others are hired by large hospital chains to manage various divisions, and some nurses with doctorate degrees are hired to manage complex healthcare systems at the executive level. On another front, they conduct research and formulate national and international healthcare policy. In short, because of the high level of education and a shortage of nurses prepared at this level, there are a number of options.

Salaries are related to the various positions.  Faculty salaries vary by the type of institution and by faculty rank, typically ranging from approximately $80,000 at the assistant professor level to over $115,000 at the professor level.  Salaries of nurse executives also vary, with the lowest salaries being in small rural hospitals and the highest being in complex university medical centers. Consultant salaries are wide ranging but often consist of a base plus some percentage of work contracted. Clinical and research positions vary considerably by the type of institution and the nature of the work.  Needless to say, a doctoral education does provide individuals with a wide range of opportunities, with salaries commensurate with the type and level of responsibilities. 

DNP vs. PhD in Nursing: Salary, Skill and Career Differences

The  Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)  and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing are among the most advanced degrees a nurse can earn. Both are valuable options for nurses who wish to move to the top of their field. While the DNP and the PhD are both terminal nursing degrees, the two are significantly different in several ways.

When comparing the DNP vs. the PhD in nursing, nurses should consider what makes each degree distinct, including what skills each focuses on and what career choices each is best suited for.

DNP vs. PhD in Nursing — Comparing the Two Degrees

Although the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Doctor of Philosophy in nursing are two of the highest-level nursing degrees, some core differences set them apart.

What Makes a DNP Distinct?

Perhaps the biggest distinction between the two degrees is that a DNP program is a clinical practice program, while a PhD program is not. A DNP is the highest-level clinical nursing degree a nurse can earn, and DNP programs generally offer several specializations, such as:

• Adult-gerontology (acute or primary) care
• Family primary care
• Pediatric care
• Psychiatric mental health care

Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a DNP can become certified as nurse practitioners (NPs) in their selected specialties. As nurse practitioners, DNP graduates apply evidence-based research to improve the quality of patient care and serve as lead clinicians in their  practice specialties .

DNP graduates can also pursue healthcare management positions. These professionals serve as lead patient safety advocates and are involved with high-level decision-making and policy setting. Additionally, those in nurse leadership roles provide guidance and oversight to the registered nurses (RNs) and NPs on their teams.

The timeline for earning a DNP varies depending on the student’s current degree and program type. A nurse with a master’s can complete a  DNP program  in as little as 20 months (or 36 months with an NP specialization), while it can take as little as 40 months for a nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to complete a program such as Maryville’s  online accelerated BSN to DNP .

What Makes a PhD in Nursing Distinct?

While a DNP program is focused on clinical patient care, a PhD in nursing program is nonclinical. Students in PhD in nursing programs focus on science and research. PhD students are preparing to become experts in their profession, and PhD graduates often work as nurse educators in an academic setting or as nurse researchers, according to the American Association of Colleges in Nursing.

Different PhD in nursing programs emphasize different areas of study. For instance, some emphasize health education while others emphasize policy research. PhD students should expect coursework that covers the philosophy and history of nursing as well as healthcare techniques. A PhD program also typically features research projects and clinical trials. PhD students must complete a dissertation that summarizes the findings of their research.

PhD coursework is considerably more demanding than DNP coursework, which is reflected in the length of the program. PhD students with a bachelor’s degree may take upward of 10 years to complete a PhD, while those with a master’s degree may take seven years.

DNP vs. PhD in Nursing — Comparing Skills and Careers

DNP graduates gain a superior set of clinical skills and practice-based experience in patient care. The scope of those skills are primarily dictated by their specialty. For instance, a family primary care specialist has a broad skill set in managing overall patient care, as they work with all demographics of patients. By comparison, a pediatric care specialist focuses on preventive care such as vaccinations and screening for illnesses that affect young children.

Whatever their specialties, these are among common responsibilities of DNP graduates:

• Observing patients and performing physical exams
• Updating patient medical histories and recording current symptoms
• Ordering and administering patient tests
• Operating medical equipment used for exams
• Diagnosing health issues and developing treatment plans
• Educating patients and their families so they can better manage their health
• Prescribing medication (in full practice authority states)

By comparison, the skills acquired through a PhD in nursing program are primarily academic. Although PhD graduates do not operate in a clinical capacity, they do possess a more comprehensive knowledge base when compared to DNP graduates. In the role of nurse educators, they perform the following job duties:

• Planning and developing curricula for nursing programs
• Delivering lectures to nursing students
• Mentoring nursing students
• Supervising students as they engage in clinical or lab work
• Grading student work (lab assignments, clinicals, and homework)
• Serving as a knowledge resource for students

Some PhD graduates pursue careers as nurse researchers working in lab settings. In this role, they perform the following duties:

• Developing research questions in collaboration with other researchers and scientists
• Collecting and analyzing data pertaining to their research studies
• Writing detailed reports that summarize their findings
• Training and supervising nurse scientists and other laboratory staff
• Writing research and grant proposals to secure funding

Salary and Career Outlook

Individuals with a DNP degree had a median annual salary of approximately $108,000 in October 2022, according to the salary statistics site PayScale. By comparison, those with a PhD in nursing had a median annual salary of approximately $97,000.

Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners had a median annual salary of $123,780 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These roles will grow 40% between 2021 and 2031, the BLS projects, which is much faster than the projected average for all occupations of 5%.

Nursing instructors and teachers (postsecondary) had a median annual salary of $77,440, according to the BLS. The role of postsecondary teachers will increase by 12% between 2021 and 2031.

Pursue a Career with an Advanced Nursing Degree

When comparing a DNP vs. a PhD in nursing, it’s important to point out that graduates of both degree programs go on to do crucial work. Nurse practitioners treat patients directly and help save lives; nurse leaders make important safety and efficiency decisions; and nurse educators and researchers impart knowledge to the next generation of nurses and push the field forward.

Nurses with a passion for helping patients thrive should consider a DNP program such as the  online accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice program  at Maryville University. With five concentrations to choose from, the DNP program at Maryville prepares  BSN students  to become nurse leaders and nurse practitioners in the specialty of their choosing. Maryville students have the added convenience of being able to access coursework 100% online and complete clinicals locally.

Take the first step toward a career as a nurse practitioner by learning more about Maryville University’s  online nursing degree  programs.

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, DNP Fact Sheet

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, PhD Education

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification

Betterteam, Family Nurse Practitioner Job Description

Betterteam, Nurse Practitioner Job Description

Incredible Health, “Comparing the Differences Between a DNP vs. Ph.D. in Nursing”

Indeed, “What Is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?”

Payscale, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree

Payscale, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Nursing Degree

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021, 25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Teachers

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DNP vs. Ph.D. in Nursing: What's the Difference?

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated July 26, 2023 · 5 Min Read

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Nurses who have already earned a masters degree and are looking to pursue the next step in their education have two options: doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing.

Both degrees offer nurses a variety of professional opportunities, allowing them to utilize their expertise to benefit the field of nursing.

This guide outlines the differences in earning a DNP vs. a Ph.D. in nursing, and what opportunities lay ahead for graduates of either program. In understanding the roles and responsibilities of each, nurses can determine which degree is right for them.

DNP and Ph.D. in Nursing Key Similarities and Differences

A DNP and Ph.D. are both terminal degrees, meaning they are the highest degree a nurse can earn. Regardless of their choice of program, interested nurses need a bachelor of science (BSN) degree in nursing, an active and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, and clinical experience before gaining admittance to either doctorate program.

While a DNP and Ph.D. are both advanced degrees, they prepare nurses for different roles within the nursing field. DNP programs focus on educating nurses who want to pursue leadership roles in a clinical setting. Ph.D. programs provide nurses with an education to pursue academic or research-based positions.

What is a DNP?

A DNP is an advanced degree for nurses who want to become experts in clinical nursing. The degree is an alternative to research-centric doctoral programs, and provides nurses with skills and training to work at an advanced level in the nursing field.

What is a Ph.D. in Nursing?

Earning a Ph.D. in nursing prepares graduates for work either in academia or research settings. Graduates often pursue faculty positions with academic institutions or in a career that involves performing research in a medical laboratory.

Source: Payscale

Popular DNP Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Duties and Responsibilities

The roles of a nurse with a DNP vs. a Ph.D. in nursing are fundamentally different. The former focuses on clinical work, whereas the latter is geared more toward research and education.

Their duties revolve around those two major areas. As such, DNPs are more likely to work with patients, while Ph.D graduates focus on educating nurses and analyzing medical practices.

What Can You Do With a DNP?

Nurses with a DNP are considered expert clinicians who are prepared for the highest level of nursing practice.

Upon earning the degree, nurses can choose to focus on leadership and administrative roles (public health, healthcare policy, informatics, etc.) or clinical care (clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, etc.).

After earning a DNP, nurses' responsibilities may include:

• Diagnose and treat patients
• Prescribe medications
• Order various diagnostic tests
• Handle patient complains
• Consult on complex cases
• Implement policy changes

Keep in mind that some DNP programs are for roles (clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator) that will not have authorization to perform some of the above responsibilities.

What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Nursing?

Nurses with a Ph.D. often focus on the areas of education and research. They may design studies and conduct research on clinical practices, nursing education, health systems, and public policy.

People with a Ph.D. in nursing often find employment in academic, business, or governmental settings. Overall, nurses with a Ph.D.can:

• Design, conduct, and publish research
• Develop new nursing knowledge and methods
• Utilize research results to improve nursing outcomes
• Write proposals and apply for grants to fund research
• Mentor and advise students
• Compose curriculum for nursing courses

Education Prerequisites

When looking to earn either a DNP or Ph.D., most programs require applicants to have similar prerequisites. Institutions often look for candidates who have attained an undergraduate degree, are actively able to practice nursing, and can meet certain academic requirements.

How to Earn a DNP

To apply for a DNP degree program, candidates need a BSN or master of science in nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution, a GPA of at least 3.0, and an active nursing license.

Once enrolled, students can choose an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role such as clinical nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

CNPs and CNSs then choose a population focus (i.e., neonatal, pediatrics, womens health, psychiatric-mental health). DNP candidates often focus on a research or capstone project throughout their entire program.

The program can last 2-4 years, and full-time students are able to earn their degree faster than their part-time counterparts. Students participate in courses on informatics, health policy, healthcare delivery systems, evidence-based practice, and project management.

Learners must also complete a total of 1,000 clinical hours, 500 of which can stem from a previous masters program that resulted in national certification. Learners with previous hours may become more common as some programs, like CRNA, transition from MSN to DNP-only.

How to Earn a Ph.D. in Nursing

To get accepted to a Ph.D. program, candidates need a BSN or MSN from an accredited program, a 3.0 to 3.5 minimum GPA, and an active nursing license. Applicants must also provide a CV or resume, professional references, and a personal statement.

The length of a Ph.D. program ranges from 4-6 years depending on the status of the student (full-time vs. part-time). The curriculum revolves around theory, analysis, and statistics, with students taking classes in grant writing, research design, and research methods. Since their work takes place within education and research, Ph.D. candidates are not required to complete clinical hours.

Salary and Career Outlook

Upon program completion, DNP and Ph.D. graduates may benefit from a higher earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a steady need over the next decade for nurses with advanced training.

Ultimately, degree type, specialization, and population focus dictate the average annual salary and the type of demand nurses should anticipate.

$107,000 Average Annual DNP Salary

$99,000 Average Annual Ph.D. in Nursing Salary

DNP in Nursing Salary and Career Outlook

While the average salary of nurses with DNPs is approximately $107,000, their chosen specialization impacts their earning potential and demand. DNP-holders working a CRNAs average $164,340 per year, according to July 2022 Payscale data, while those who work in pediatrics earn $92,030 .

Not only do CRNAs earn the highest average salary, but they are also one of the most in-demand specializations; the BLS projects a job growth rate of 45%, significantly higher than the 9% average for all other professions.

Another main factor that influences DNP earning potential is years of experience. Entry-level nurses earn an average annual salary of approximately $87,000 , according to July 2022 Payscale data. Whereas those with more than 20 years of experience can earn upwards of $187,000 depending upon the specialization.

Ph.D. in Nursing Salary and Career Outlook

Much like nurses with a DNP, the salary of one with a Ph.D. varies based on focus. According to the BLS , nurse educators with a Ph.D. can receive upwards of $125,930 annually.

While all nurses with advanced degrees continue to be in demand, Ph.D. graduates who choose to become educators can especially benefit from this need. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing , nursing schools had to turn away over 80,000 qualified applicants in 2019 due to the shortage of educators.

Many states are looking to provide incentives to nurses who choose to become educators, thereby increasing the benefit of selecting this role.

DNP vs. Ph.D. in Nursing: Which Degree is Right For Me?

Deciding which degree works best depends upon a nurse's personal and professional goals. The degrees lead nurses down two fairly distinct paths – one clinical and one research-oriented.

DNP and Ph.D. graduates are both in high demand and have above-average earning potential. The degrees differ in time commitment and responsibilities.

Nurses who prefer to work in a clinical capacity either directly with patients or in a nursing leadership role should pursue a DNP. Graduates often find themselves in a variety of clinical settings, such as hospitals, specialty practices, or public health offices.

Learners more interested in preparing future nurses or conducting research that aids in the development of new and effective nursing methods should pursue a Ph.D. Nurse Ph.D. graduates often use their expertise in settings such as colleges and universities, research facilities, medical laboratories, and government agencies.

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Page last reviewed: May 6, 2022

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How to Pick the Right Graduate Degree in Nursing

An advanced degree in nursing requires significant time and money, so choosing the right program is key.

Pick the Right Advanced Nursing Degree

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Advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, typically hold a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Both focus on the clinical side of care.

Registered nurses play a critical role in patient care, performing physical exams, administering medication and helping to coordinate a team of health professionals.

But states across the U.S. have been facing a growing nursing shortage fueled by employee burnout, lack of training and a generation of nurses approaching retirement. Combined with a shrinking number of primary care physicians and an aging patient population that's living longer while often contending with chronic conditions, the need for nurses – and those with advanced degrees – has never been higher, many experts agree.

An advanced degree in nursing requires significant time and money, so choosing the right program is important for students to make sure their decision pays off in the future.

The Advanced Nursing Degree  

Advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, typically hold a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Both focus on the clinical side of care. Nurses interested in academia or research can also opt for a Ph.D. program.

“Some may want to become faculty members. Some may choose to become research scientists. Some want to lead health care organizations,” says Beth Ann Swan, associate dean and vice president for academic practice partnerships and interim assistant dean for education at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Georgia. “It really varies, but graduate preparation is required to make that leap if they are interested."

Swan, who is a registered nurse with a Ph.D., says she’s had DNP students who have become vice presidents in large health systems, as well as chief nursing officer of a hospital and a policy adviser at the federal level.

For nurses who want to stay closer to their patients or are undecided if a doctorate degree is right for them, MSN nurses will still see boosts in their careers with opportunities for new and advanced roles, including teaching, as well as higher salary potential.

Master of Science in Nursing 

At the master’s level, students who opt for an MSN train in one of four specialties: nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse midwife. Within these specializations, nurses focus on specific patient populations, such as pediatrics and adult-gerontology.

The average MSN program takes two to three years full time to complete, although accelerated programs can be as short as 15 months. Students without nursing backgrounds also have the option to attend an accelerated nursing program and earn their bachelor’s degree, license and graduate degree in three years.

A nurse with a master’s degree will take on greater responsibility for patients, including prescribing medications, ordering diagnostic tests and developing plans of care.

“There are a lot of advantages in terms of being able to impact a person’s health being a primary care provider,” says Susan Renz, who has a Ph.D. and is a geriatric nurse practitioner and primary care program director at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing . "You’re at the same level essentially as a physician and tend to work side by side.”

Along with the increased responsibility come new challenges.

“It’s a lot of time with patients,” says Alexander Menard, an acute care nurse practitioner at UMass Memorial Medical Center whose typical 12-hour workday in the intensive care unit involves managing a busy workload. “I spend my entire day caring for patients and families, working with an interdisciplinary team, working closely with nurses and consulting services like physical therapists or social workers, and coordinating care and making sure all the specialties are weighing in for the best outcomes of the patient. It’s a tremendous amount of coordination of care.”

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Increased demands typically mean a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage in 2022 for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $125,900 per year, compared with $81,220 per year for a registered nurse.

Doctor of Nursing Practice 

While a master’s in nursing will lead students to new job opportunities and increased salaries, nurses interested in taking a deeper dive into the policies that drive the health system and want leadership positions that directly affect those policies should consider a DNP, which offers more health policy training than an MSN.

Danielle McCamey, a DNP at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Maryland and founder of the national nonprofit DNPs of Color, says the DNP allows students to expand their scopes of knowledge and skills with both patients and policies.

“When you have this DNP, you’re still heavily based in clinical practice and you understand taking care of individuals and communities, but you have this additional skill set to disrupt certain systems that are preventing access to care or might be out of the latest trends of what’s needed to make reasonable changes in the health care system,” McCamey says.

Nationwide, the DNP program has steadily grown in popularity over the last decade, increasing from 156 in 2010 to 426 in 2022, with 70 more programs planned, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The DNP may eventually replace the MSN altogether, as the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties has called for all entry-level NP programs to transition to the DNP by 2025. The AACN has also recommended that transition since 2004.

Menard, who is also a DNP and assistant professor at UMass Chan Medical School's Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing , is among those who favor this shift.

“The demands of the health care system require primary care providers to have advanced knowledge and leadership and the ability to translate evidence at the bedside and improve outcomes,” Menard says. “Patient care is the priority, but there’s so much more that impacts patient care, including policies, and the extra time in school and the emphasis of the DNP addresses that directly.”

Choosing the Right Graduate Nursing Program

Renz encourages nurses thinking about the master’s program at Penn to first gain real-world experience. "The more patient encounters you’re exposed to gives you a better idea of the population and the types of patients you’d want to work with after graduating,” she says.

And since an advanced degree requires students to focus on a specialty, Menard says it’s a good idea to talk with nurses in roles that interest students.

“You really want to have a good understanding of what an NP does with specific certifications and roles because you’re going to be investing a good amount of time, energy and finances to get to that goal, so it’s good to spend time talking to people in the roles you might see yourself in.”

With the growing number of programs offered at schools across the U.S., it’s important for students to weigh numerous factors before making their decisions.

Swan says they should consider whether the school they are applying to is accredited, along with its reputation and ranking. “And of course, most important, what the employment opportunities are. Where do graduates go and what kind of career services do they have?”

Considering that employment of APRNs is projected to grow 38% from 2022 to 2032, with about 29,200 openings each year on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experts say students who choose to invest in an advanced nursing degree will be in high demand.

“Opportunities abound,” McCamey says. “And the beauty of nursing is that you can create your role anywhere, especially with technology and innovation making care more accessible. That’s why it’s so important to have an understanding of your goal, because there’s so much opportunity to take care of people and communities.”

College Degree Levels Explained

Josh Moody Sept. 29, 2021

Tags: education , graduate schools , colleges , nursing programs , students

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• Scholarships

Outlook for PhD in Nursing Salary

Research has shown that less than 1% of all nurses in this country hold a doctorate degree, whether that is a Ph.D. or the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). However, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released The Future of Nursing Report, together with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in which they have set the goal of having twice as many doctoral nurses in the workforce by 2020. To achieve this, they are pushing to have 10% of all newly qualified bachelor’s degree (BSN) registered nurses (RNs) into a master’s degree (MSN) and then Ph.D. or DNP within no more than five years after they graduate.

There is a huge demand for nurses with a doctorate degree, not in the least because there is such a shortage of nurse educators. If the stock of nurse educators is not replenished, there will be no way to educate tomorrow’s nursing workforce either. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have therefore put out a call to all nurses to commit to furthering their education.

The outlook for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates is incredibly strong. Exactly how strong, however, will vary depending on what they plan to do after graduation. Different positions are available to them, each of which attracts a different salary. As such:

• Nurse Researchers can expect to earn around $95,000 per year. They can also increase this by speaking at events and conferences, consulting, teaching, and writing books.
• Nurse Practitioners, who continue to work directly with patients in a clinical role, can expect to earn around $98,826 per year. They may also be able to prescribe medication.
• Clinical Nurse Specialists, who mainly work in an advisory role for various conditions, can earn as much as $120,000 per year.
• Nurse Anesthetists, working alongside the anesthesiologist in surgeries, can expect to earn around $81,162 per year.
• Nurse Midwives, who help in antenatal and postnatal care, as well as during deliveries, can earn as much as $102,670 per year.
• Nurse Educators, who train tomorrow’s nursing workforce, earn in excess of $111,870 per year.

There are various other factors, besides exact role, that affect the expected salary of a Ph.D. in Nursing graduate, however.

#1 Your Job Location

Once you have completed your DNP or Ph.D., you will be responsible for problem solving in your workplace, as well as educating the rest of the workforce. You can do this in:

• Surgical and general medical hospitals, where you can influence the treatment plans of patients. At the same time, you are likely to conduct research and drive policy so that health care outcomes are improved.
• Public health offices, where you will be responsible for influencing national and local health officials and policy makers, ensuring that they find solutions to health problems that are smart and based on research.
• Research facilities, which are particularly suitable for those with a Ph.D.. In this role, you will generally research the various health and medical issues that today’s people face. You may also try to uncover new solutions and cures for these health problems.
• Independent practice, whereby you will have the flexibility of determining when you work and who you work with. Furthermore, you are the end responsible for the treatment you feel is appropriate for your patients.
• Physicians’ offices, where you can manage other nursing staff and essentially work independently, but without the stresses of starting your own practice.
• Universities, whereby you can teach the next generation of nurses.

Each of these types of jobs attracts different levels of pay. However, it is not uncommon for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates to earn a six figure income, regardless of where they work.

#2 Geographical Location

The geographical location of your work also has a significant impact on how much you can earn. Generally speaking, larger metropolitan areas attract far higher salaries than rural areas. Certain states also traditionally pay more than other states. However, in general, the areas that attract higher salaries also often have a higher cost of living. Hence, you do need to work out whether you will actually be earning more in terms of your disposable income.

Statistics on Doctorate Educated Nurses

A number of pieces of research have been completed on the salaries of nurses, particularly in comparing doctorate degree nurses to MSN nurses. The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) 2013 Salary and Compensation Study for Nurse Leaders found that:

• Executive leadership nurses can earn between $120,000 and $300,000 per year.
• DNP nurses earn an average of $7,689 per year more than MSN degree holders.

The outlook for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates is incredibly positive, as you can see, so much so in fact, that employers are fighting over each other to attract any nurses who hold this advanced degree because there are so few of them. This puts you in a unique position of being able to negotiate not just on your annual salary, but also your other benefits. These include things such as retirement plans, medical and life insurance, childcare support, paid vacation, bonuses, commissions, and more. While it is certainly true that obtaining a Ph.D. in Nursing takes a significant investment of both time and money, most would agree that it is an investment worth making.

• Nursing Faculty Shortage. (2015, Mar. 16) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage
• The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/articles/126-the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health
• What Is the Average Salary with a DNP Degree? (n.d.) Retrieved from http://nursejournal.org/dnp-programs/what-is-the-average-salary-with-a-dnp-degree/
• The Voice of Nursing Leadership – Salary and Compensation Study for Nurse Leaders – 2013 Edition.(n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.aone.org/resources/nurse-leaders-compensation-summary.pdf
• Career Outlook: DNP. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.stfrancis.edu/academics/college-of-nursing/dnp/career-outlook/
• DNP Fact Sheet. (2016, Apr.) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/dnp
• IOM Future of Nursing Report. (2010, Oct.) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/dnp

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Home / Nursing Articles / What Is the Difference Between an MD, DNP, and Ph.D. in Nursing?

What Is the Difference Between an MD, DNP, and Ph.D. in Nursing?

The role of the md, dnp vs. ph.d. in nursing, what is the salary difference between a dnp and ph.d. in nursing.

A DNP (doctor of nursing practice) and Ph.D. in Nursing are vastly different than an MD (doctor of medicine). The former are highly-trained nurses, and the latter is a physician, with all the scope of practice allowances that come with that title.

A "DNP" is an advanced-practice registered nurse who may specialize in the following roles:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwife
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nurse Executive
• Nurse Informaticist

The DNP nurse has achieved one of the highest degrees awarded in the field of nursing (next to the Ph.D. in Nursing , which is just as prestigious but has more of an academic focus compared to the clinical focus of the DNP). It demonstrates that the nurse exemplifies clinical expertise and knowledge in the field and that the nurse is skilled in identifying healthcare-related issues and can propose evidence-based solutions in the ever-changing world of healthcare.

An MD is a medical doctor, also known as a physician. While it may be evident that a DNP (or Ph.D. in Nursing) is a nurse and an MD is a doctor, the explanation of the differences goes a little deeper than the title. It's important to realize that nurses and doctors are trained differently:

• Nurse Approach – The nurse's approach to healthcare is holistic. Nurses view the patient as a whole – which means they assess the physical, mental, and even spiritual well-being of patients. They also look at, and involve, a patient's support system in relation to disease processes. Patient education and teaching are paramount in that it helps to both heal and prevent disease.
• Physician Approach – The physician's approach to healthcare is disease-based. They are presented with a healthcare disorder and find ways to fix it. They order imaging tests and blood work to diagnose and order a treatment plan. However, in recent years, preventive medicine is becoming a huge part of a physician's job.

RELATED : RN to MD

Both a Ph.D. and DNP are considered terminal degrees for nurses, and both degrees demonstrate that the nurse is a clinical expert in his or her field. However, there are differences between the two.

The main difference is that a DNP is focused more on clinical practice, while a Ph.D. is research-focused. Choosing which degree path to take is based on the career goals of the nurse. MSN -prepared nurses practicing in an advanced role (i.e., nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, CRNA) who wish to expand their knowledge base and achieve a terminal degree to enhance their practice would benefit from choosing the DNP path.

Conversely, those who hope to get into education, research, and leadership would benefit from the Ph.D. path. Nurses with a Ph.D. use evidence-based research to develop policies and procedures and implement workflows that align with standards of care. They are especially involved with improving patient care outcomes based on research findings.

As with the differing roles of the DNP and Ph.D. nurses, the educational curriculum differs as well. DNP students must complete a capstone project that involves identifying an issue in healthcare and proposing evidence-based solutions. While this sounds more aligned with a Ph.D. program, the project should pertain to their specific clinical area. Additionally, the DNP program has an immersive clinical practicum which is required to graduate.

RELATED : Dual DNP/Ph.D. Nursing Programs

The Ph.D. curriculum is more research-based. Students must complete an original research project and complete a dissertation which may also include teaching. The curriculum does not include patient care clinical hours.

Regardless of which path is chosen, both degree options allow for expert nurses and practitioners to make an impact on patient care to improve outcomes.

As the highest degrees in nursing practice, the Doctor of Nursing Practice ( DNP ) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing ( Ph.D. ) degrees can catapult advanced practice nurses to the top of the pay range. Some prospective students, however, may wonder how the salaries of these different degree types stack up. The short answer is that the differences in salary between nurses who hold a DNP and those with a Ph.D. are minimal, with an average difference of approximately $4,000 per year. However, things such as location, organization, and job title will ultimately determine a salary for a nurse with either degree type.

A DNP operates at the highest level of clinical practice, and the salary average for a nurse with this degree lands at approximately $100,000 per year . This is variable amongst jobs, as a clinician salary is higher than an educator salary. In other words, individuals who work at universities teaching nursing students average less income than those practicing with patients. For example, a DNP practicing as an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner averages closer to $110,000 per year. Most DNP-prepared RNs tend to opt for clinical practice careers. Some job titles a DNP may search for include: Advanced Practitioner, Quality Improvement Manager, Healthcare Informaticist, Clinical Educator, Policy Maker, and more.

Ph.D. Salary

A Ph.D. prepared nurse spends time researching, conducting analysis and performing scientific studies. They also commonly enter academia as professors and educators. According to Payscale, a Ph.D. educated nurse's average salary is $96,000 per year. This makes the salary very competitive in comparison to that of a DNP. Similar to a DNP-prepared nurse, there is variability in salary depending on setting and institution. A nurse researcher can expect to earn a yearly salary of approximately $95,000 per year. Some job titles a Ph.D. may search for include: Nurse Researcher , Nurse Scientist, Policy Maker, Academic Professor, Author.

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Graduate Nurse Salary in the United States

Graduate nurse salary.

How much does a Graduate Nurse make in the United States? The average Graduate Nurse salary in the United States is $82,004 as of February 26, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $74,136 and $90,897 . Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education , certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

New Graduate Nurse

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Encompass Health - Johnson City, TN

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What is a Graduate Nurse ?

The Graduate Nurse (GN) is a nurse who has completed his or her academic studies but not completed the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Depending on the country, state, province or similar licensing body, the graduate nurse may be granted provisional nursing licensure. A Graduate nurse has not yet passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN). In the US, the Graduate nurse can practice nursing under a Registered nurse. To practice as a Graduate nurse, he or she must have been authorized by the examination provider to sit for the ...

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Nurse Salaries By State + the Highest Paying States For RNs

Wondering where you can make the most money as a nurse in 2024? Turns out, the average registered nurse salary varies widely from state to state. The latest data from the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the difference between the highest and lowest RN salaries is nearly $100,000 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Read on to find out the highest paying states for registered nurses and check out the average RN salary by state.

In This Article

Average registered nurse salary in the united states.

• Average RN Salary by State Table
• Factors That Impact Registered Nurse Salary
• Other Considerations
• RN Salary FAQs

Many factors impact how much registered nurses make in each state. But how do they stack up against one another? We pulled the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank all 50 states, Wahington D.C., and Puerto Rico registered nurse salaries to see where you can make the most as an RN.

52.  Puerto Rico

Average RN Salary: $37,360

Average  Hourly: $17.96

Number of RNs in Puerto Rico : 21,270

51.  South Dakota

Average RN Salary: $64,500

Average  Hourly: $31.01

Number of RNs in South Dakota: 14,360

50.   Arkansas

Average RN Salary: $66,530

Average Hourly: $31.98

Number of RNs in Arkansas: 28,490

49.  Alabama

Average RN Salary: $66,910

Average  Hourly: $32.17

Number of RNs in Alabama: 49,370

48.   Mississippi

Average RN Salary: $67,930

Average  Hourly: $32.66

Number of RNs in Mississippi:  29,370

Average RN Salary: $69,370

Average Hourly: $33.35

Number of RNs in Iowa: 34,050

46.   Missouri

Average RN Salary: $71,860

Average Hourly: $34.55

Number of RNs in Missouri: 70,440

45.  Kansas  

Average RN Salary: $71,990

Average  Hourly: $34.61

Number of RNs in Kansas: 30,520

44.  West Virginia

Average RN Salary: $72,230

Average  Hourly: $34.73

Number of RNs in West Virginia: 21,110

43.   Tennessee

Average RN Salary: $72,480

Average  Hourly: $34.85

Number of RNs in Tennessee: 60,840

42.   Nebraska

Average RN Salary: $73,510

Average Hourly: $35.34

Number of RNs in Nebraska: 19,870

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41.   South Carolina

Average RN Salary: $74,330

Average Hourly: $35.74

Number of RNs in South Carolina: 44,030

40.  North Dakota

Average RN Salary: $75,000

Average Hourly: $36.06

Number of RNs in North Dakota: 11,300

39.   Indiana

Average RN Salary: $75,580

Average  Hourly: $36.34

Number of RNs in Indiana: 67,350

38.   Louisiana

Average RN Salary: $75,920

Average Hourly: $36.50

Number of RNs in Louisiana: 43,790

Average RN Salary: $76,400

Average Hourly: $36.73

Number of RNs in Utah: 22,830

36.   Oklahoma

Average RN Salary: $76,920

Average Hourly: $36.98

Number of RNs in Oklahoma:  30,320

35.   Maine

Average RN Salary: $77,410

Average Hourly: $37.22

Number of RNs in Maine: 14,610

34.   North Carolina

Average RN Salary: $77,420

Number of RNs in North Carolina: 104,300

33.  Kentucky

Average  RN Salary: $77,620

Average  Hourly: $37.32

Number of RNs in Kentucky: 44,970

32.  Montana

Average RN Salary: $78,350

Average Hourly: $37.67

Number of RNs in Montana: 10,020

Average RN Salary: $78,450

Average Hourly: $37.72

Number of RNs in Ohio: 130,370

30.   Idaho

Average RN Salary: $78,610

Average Hourly: $37.79

Number of RNs in Idaho: 13,680

29.   Florida

Average RN Salary: $79,910

Average Hourly: $38.42

Number of RNs in Florida: 197,630

28.   Vermont

Average RN Salary: $79,990

Average Hourly: $38.46

Number of RNs in Vermont: 6,930

27.   Pennsylvania

Average RN Salary: $80,630

Average Hourly: $38.76

Number of RNs in Pennsylvania: 137,970

26.   Michigan

Average RN Salary: $80,660

Average Hourly: $38.78

Number of RNs in Michigan: 101,470

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25.   Wisconsin

Average RN Salary: $81,000

Average Hourly: $38.94

Number of RNs in Wisconsin: 61,100

24.  Wyoming

Average RN Salary: $81,010

Average Hourly: $38.95

Number of RNs in Wyoming: 5,070

23.   Virginia

Average RN Salary: $81,860

Average Hourly: $39.36

Number of RNs in Virginia: 69,510

22.   Illinois

Average RN Salary: $82,220

Average Hourly: $39.53

Number of RNs in Illinois: 129,390

21.   New Hampshire

Average RN Salary: $83,420

Average Hourly: $40.11

Number of RNs in New Hampshire: 13,510

20.   Texas

Average RN Salary: $84,320

Average Hourly: $40.54

Number of RNs in Texas: 231,060

>> Related:  Registered Nurse Salary in Texas

19.  Delaware

Average RN Salary: $85,020

Average Hourly: $40.88

Number of RNs in Delaware: 11,490

18.   Georgia

Average RN Salary: $85,180

Average Hourly: $40.95

Number of RNs in Georgia: 82,970

17.   New Mexico

Average RN Salary: $85,580

Average Hourly: $41.15

Number of RNs in New Mexico: 15,910

16.   Colorado

Average RN Salary: $86,590

Average Hourly: $41.63

Number of RNs in Colorado: 52,390

15.   Arizona

Average RN Salary: $86,740

Average Hourly: $41.70

Number of RNs in Arizona: 56,040

14.   Maryland

Average RN Salary: $87,990

Average Hourly: $42.30

Number of RNs in Maryland: 49,790

13.  Rhode Island

Average RN Salary: $88,250

Average Hourly: $42.43

Number of RNs in Rhode Island: 11,190

12.   Minnesota

Average RN Salary: $88,860

Average Hourly: $42.72

Number of RNs in Minnesota: 63,800

11.   Connecticut

Average RN Salary: $94,260

Average Hourly: $45.32

Number of RNs in Connecticut: 34,290

10.   Nevada

Average RN Salary: $96,310

Average Hourly: $46.30

Number of RNs in Nevada: 23,970

9.   New Jersey

Average RN Salary: $96,670

Average Hourly: $46.48

Number of RNs in New Jersey: 78,340

8.  District of Columbia

Average RN Salary: $98,230

Average Hourly: $47.23

Number of RNs in DC: 11,820

7.   New York

Average RN Salary: $100,130

Average Hourly: $48.14

Number of RNs in New York: 190,470

6.   Washington

Average RN Salary: $101,670

Average Hourly: $48.88

Number of RNs in Washington: 64,920

5.   Alaska

Average RN Salary: $103,310

Average Hourly: $49.67

Number of RNs in Alaska: 6,730

4.  Massachusetts

Average RN Salary: $104,150

Average Hourly: $50.07

Number of RNs in Massachusetts: 94,100

3.   Oregon

Average RN Salary: $106,610

Average Hourly: $51.26

Number of RNs in Oregon: 37,400

2.   Hawaii  

Average RN Salary: $113,220

Average Hourly: $54.43

Number of RNs in Hawaii: 11,800

1.  California

Average RN Salary: $133,340

Average Hourly: $64.10

Number of RNs in California: 325,620

*Extracted From BLS July 13, 2023

How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in Each State?

Here is a table of the average registered nurse salary in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico:

Registered Nurse Salary Factors

The salaries by state listed above represent an average across all types of nurses. So, depending on your specialty, place of work, level of experience, degree, and many other factors, you'll see some variances in how much you can expect to earn. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind that can impact how much you make:

1. Types of Nurses

Salaries will vary widely depending on your specialty and the nursing job you work in. 

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) like nurse practitioners , nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives can all expect to earn higher salaries than a nurse without a graduate degree. 

How you work also plays a big role in the annual salary you can expect to earn. Travel nurses and per diem nurses, for example, tend to earn far more than their traditional nurse counterparts.

2. Years of Experience

Registered nurses, at the start of their careers, will usually make less than nurses with more years of experience under their belts. As you improve your skills and progress in your career, you can expect to see your wages improve as well.

3. Degree Type

Nurses will typically see salary increases when they further their education. Nurses who have earned their Bachelor's degree (BSN) tend to earn more than nurses who have only earned their Associate's degree in Nursing (ADN). While a master's in nursing or a doctorate degree will usually earn nurses even higher salaries.

Other RN Salary Considerations 

As a nurse, your salary shouldn't be the only thing you consider when deciding what field to go into or what job to take. 

How far that salary will go will greatly depend on the cost of living in the area. Some of the highest-paying states also cost a lot to live in, meaning that 6 figure salary isn't going to go nearly as far as it would in a less expensive area. Your registered nurse salary in California might get you a comparable standard of living to a lower salary in Iowa.

You'll also want to look at things like the job benefits, the hours, what the work-life balance will be, and what their training and education policies are like. Don't overlook your quality of life!

Registered Nurse Salary FAQs

What are the highest-paying jobs in the medical field .

• Some of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare, other than physicians, are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), which include Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). 

What is the happiest career in the medical field?

• U.S. News ranked Nurse Practitioners (NPs) as the best job in healthcare in 2022.

What is the easiest medical field job?

• It really depends on what you define as “easy.” If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t require hands-on care and pays well, informatics, technology, or biomedical engineering may all be good choices.

What is the least stressful job in the medical field?

• Audiologists—who diagnose problems with the ears—have a reputation for having the lowest amount of stress in the medical field.

The Takeaway

There are a lot of things at play in the nursing salaries you can expect to earn. And even if you practice in a state with a lower RN salary average, there are always ways to increase your salary and reach your career goals. As you're planning out your career path, don't forget to keep all these factors in mind to set yourself up for success!

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The analysis found that former students at most colleges had an annual income higher than high school graduates a decade after enrollment.

By Ann Carrns

Most people go to college to improve their financial prospects, though there are other benefits to attending a postsecondary institution. But as the average cost of a four-year degree has risen to six figures, even at public universities, it can be hard to know if the money is well spent .

A new analysis by HEA Group, a research and consulting firm focused on college access and success, may help answer the question for students and their families. The study compares the median earnings of former college students, 10 years after they enrolled, with basic income benchmarks.

The analysis found that a majority of colleges exceed minimum economic measures for their graduates, like having a typical annual income that is more than that of a high school graduate with no higher education ($32,000, per federal Scorecard data ).

Still, more than 1,000 schools fell short of that threshold, though many of them were for-profit colleges concentrating in short-term credentials rather than traditional four-year degrees.

Seeing whether a college’s former students are earning “reasonable” incomes, said Michael Itzkowitz, HEA Group’s founder and president, can help people weigh whether they want to cross some institutions off their list. Someone deciding between similar colleges, for example, can see the institution that has produced students with significantly higher incomes.

While income isn’t necessarily the only criterion to consider when comparing schools, Mr. Itzkowitz said, “it’s a very good starting point.”

The report used data from the Education Department’s College Scorecard to assess the earnings of about five million former students who had attended about 3,900 institutions of higher education, 10 years after they first enrolled. (The analysis includes data for people who didn’t complete their degree.) The report includes public colleges as well as private nonprofit and for-profit schools; the schools may offer nondegree certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees.

The analysis found that schools where students earned less than their peers who never attended college were generally those offering nondegree certificates, which can often be completed in 18 months or less, as well as for-profit institutions, although the list also includes some public and private nonprofit schools. At 71 percent of for-profit schools, a majority of students were earning less than high school graduates 10 years after enrolling, compared with 14 percent of public institutions and 9 percent of private nonprofit schools, Mr. Itzkowitz said.

“College is, indeed, worth it,” Mr. Itzkowitz said, but paying for it can be “substantially riskier” depending on the type of school you attend or the credential you seek.

(Another report found that former students of for-profit colleges tend to experience more financial risk than those who attended similarly selective public colleges. Those risks include having to take on more debt for higher education, a greater likelihood of defaulting on student loans and a lower likelihood of finding a job.)

Jason Altmire, president and chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, a trade group representing for-profit career colleges, said lumping together schools offering mainly short-term certificate programs with colleges offering four-year degrees didn’t make sense. People who want to work in certain careers — hairdressing, for instance — generally can’t work in the field unless they earn a certificate, he said.

Mr. Altmire also said that income data from for-profit certificate schools might be skewed by “gender bias” because the programs had a higher proportion of women, who were more likely than men to work part time while raising families, lowering a school’s reported median income.

The HEA report also compared colleges’ performance with other benchmarks, like the federal poverty line ($15,000 annual income for an individual), which is used to determine eligibility for benefits for government programs like subsidized health insurance and Medicaid. Incomes at the “vast majority” of colleges exceeded this cutoff, the report found, although 18 — nearly all of them for-profit schools offering nondegree certificate programs in beauty or hairstyling — had students with median incomes below that threshold.

Majors also matter, since those in science, technology, engineering and nursing typically lead to significantly higher salaries than majors in the arts or humanities. (Last year, HEA published a separate analysis of the college majors that pay the most.)

When comparing the earnings after college, students and families shouldn’t look at the data in a vacuum, said Kristina Dooley, a certified educational planner in Hudson, Ohio. Many schools where former students go on to be top earners have programs focusing on health sciences, technology or business, but that may not be what you want to study.

“Use it as one piece of information,” Ms. Dooley said.

She said that students shouldn’t rule out a college just because it wasn’t at the pinnacle of the income list. Do ask questions, though — like whether its career services office helps with setting up internships and making alumni connections to assist you in finding a good-paying job.

Amy S. Jasper, an independent educational consultant in Richmond, Va., said postgraduate income might matter more to students and families who had to get a loan for college. “How much debt do they want to incur?” she said. “That is something that needs to be taken into consideration.”

But, she said, the benefits of college are not just financial. “I’d like to think that picking the right school is also about becoming a better person and contributing to the world.”

Here are some questions and answers about college costs:

What colleges had the highest median incomes?

Marquee names, like most Ivy League schools, Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are heavily represented at the top of HEA’s analysis. Their students had median incomes of at least $90,000 a decade after enrollment. (A handful of for-profit schools, focused on careers like nursing and digital production, can be found there as well.) But the highest-earning colleges on the list? Samuel Merritt University, a nursing and health sciences school in Oakland, Calif., and the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, each with incomes above $129,000. You can see the data on the HEA website .

How much does college cost?

The average estimated “sticker” price for college — the published cost for tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation and personal items — ranges from about $19,000 a year at a two-year community college to about $28,000 for in-state students at a public four-year university to almost $58,000 at a four-year private college, according to 2022-23 data from the College Board . Some students, however, may pay much less because of financial aid.

Are some college programs required to meet income benchmarks?

A federal “gainful employment” rule , which aims to make career programs more accountable, is scheduled to take effect in July. The new rule, which mostly affects for-profit schools but also applies to certificate programs at all types of colleges, requires schools to show that at least half of their graduates earn more than a typical high school graduate in their state and that their graduates have affordable student loan payments. Colleges that miss either benchmark must alert students that the school could lose access to federal financial aid. Schools that fail the same standard twice in three years will become ineligible for federal aid programs.

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