by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 73 U.S. colleges awarded 2,938 degrees and certificates in Pre-Nursing Studies. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 77% of graduates. College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Nursing Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,046 one year after completing, rising to $60,109 after four years.
Studying Pre-Nursing Studies covers Pre-Nursing Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Admission To A Professional Program In Nursing.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, pre-nursing studies is a widely-pursued major, with 2,938 degrees awarded annually. 73 colleges award pre-nursing studies degrees, an average of 40 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 954.
By level, the 2,938 awards include 131 certificates, 2,273 associate degrees, 35 bachelor’s degrees and 499 master’s degrees.
Women earned 91% of pre-nursing studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,669 of 2,938). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,149) and Black or African American (1,047), and international students earned 66.
College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Nursing Studies Schools ranking, including 24 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks pre-nursing studies schools within 12 states. In all, 73 colleges offer pre-nursing studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a pre-nursing studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 131 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,273 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 35 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 499 |
Pre-Nursing Studies has 10 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 6,217 degrees a year; the largest are Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other (3,693), Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies (1,707) and Pre-Physical Therapy Studies (260). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other | 3,693 |
| Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies | 1,707 |
| Pre-Physical Therapy Studies | 260 |
| Pre-Pharmacy Studies | 225 |
| Pre-Physician Assistant | 135 |
| Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies | 107 |
| Pre-Dentistry Studies | 68 |
| Pre-Art Therapy | 18 |
| Pre-Chiropractic Studies | 2 |
| Pre-Optometry Studies | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
