Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
45
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$958,876
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$36,023
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-East Bay
Grad rate: 45.5% |
+$1,601,706 | $127,920 | $22,803 | $18,875 | Full ROI → |
| 2 | Samuel Merritt University | +$1,562,090 | $121,792 | N/A | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
San Francisco State University
Grad rate: 52.2% |
+$1,415,226 | $118,952 | $25,258 | $16,875 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Sonoma State University
Grad rate: 60.1% |
+$1,398,201 | $118,191 | $24,739 | $19,750 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Fresno Pacific University
Grad rate: 53.0% |
+$1,372,268 | $119,148 | $42,673 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
California State University-Sacramento
Grad rate: 55.1% |
+$1,325,254 | $114,088 | $22,714 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
San Jose State University
Grad rate: 66.2% |
+$1,301,360 | $112,207 | $25,695 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
California State University-Monterey Bay
Grad rate: 62.4% |
+$1,256,781 | $110,683 | $26,017 | $9,489 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Dominican University of California
Grad rate: 77.7% |
+$1,230,750 | $119,084 | $68,620 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Pacific College
Grad rate: 75.6% |
+$1,156,928 | $105,513 | $28,333 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
California State University-Stanislaus
Grad rate: 56.6% |
+$1,148,914 | $104,737 | $18,542 | $23,450 | Full ROI → |
| 12 | American University of Health Sciences | +$1,119,023 | $101,194 | N/A | $48,042 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Grad rate: 46.7% |
+$1,109,791 | $101,845 | $15,449 | $18,750 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Pacific Union College
Grad rate: 48.8% |
+$1,085,774 | $107,830 | $47,244 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
University of San Francisco
Grad rate: 72.8% |
+$1,070,726 | $112,643 | $76,421 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Degrees by State
Browse Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.