Nursing programs in California produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $91,155 to $139,795, significantly higher than most degree programs. With 32 ranked BSN programs across the state, the variation in program outcomes demonstrates why selecting the right nursing degree matters for long-term healthcare careers.
Leading the list is California State University-East Bay, achieving the highest program earnings of $139,795. The top tier includes Dominican University Of California at $132,781 and San Francisco State University at $132,542, demonstrating how California's public universities and private colleges both deliver exceptional nursing degree outcomes for healthcare careers.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hayward, CA | $139,795 Median Nursing Earnings | $8,059 | 96.8% | 45.5% | |
| #2 | San Rafael, CA | $132,781 Median Nursing Earnings | $45,630 | 95.6% | 76.3% | |
| #3 | San Francisco, CA | $132,542 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,307 | 96.2% | 50.1% | |
| #4 | San Jose, CA | $130,227 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,743 | 80.2% | 64.6% | |
| #5 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $127,245 Median Nursing Earnings | $31,741 | 50.8% | 71.1% |
| #6 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $124,083 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #7 | Sacramento, CA | $123,869 Median Nursing Earnings | $7,306 | 93.6% | 55.8% | |
| #8 | Seaside, CA | $122,142 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,654 | 94.8% | 63.2% | |
| #9 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | Fresno, CA | $119,148 Median Nursing Earnings | $13,059 | 57.5% | 55.9% |
| #10 | Carson, CA | $115,301 Median Nursing Earnings | $2,624 | 91.3% | 46.9% | |
| #11 | Pacific Union CollegePrivate | Angwin, CA | $112,642 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,903 | 42.5% | 51.5% |
| #12 | Turlock, CA | $111,925 Median Nursing Earnings | $3,218 | 97.5% | 58.0% | |
| #13 | Northridge, CA | $110,342 Median Nursing Earnings | $5,153 | 93.2% | 56.2% | |
| #14 | Chico, CA | $108,170 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,045 | 93.7% | 63.6% | |
| #15 | Long Beach, CA | $106,552 Median Nursing Earnings | $5,477 | 47.1% | 69.9% | |
| #16 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | Azusa, CA | $106,062 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,839 | 79.5% | 64.4% |
| #17 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,969 Median Nursing Earnings | $6,864 | 8.7% | 92.7% | |
| #18 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,602 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,327 | 68.7% | 53.4% | |
| #19 | Fullerton, CA | $105,346 Median Nursing Earnings | $2,675 | 86.7% | 69.2% | |
| #20 | Los Angeles, CA | $103,598 Median Nursing Earnings | $2,855 | 91.9% | 52.6% |
