Compare 751 Nursing Science. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $86,371. Top programs: $150,921+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nursing Science tells a different story. Across 757 programs nationally, earnings range from $45,980 to $150,921—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The schools dominating this list aren't the ones you'd expect, which is exactly the point.
California State University-East Bay leads all 757 programs with nursing graduates earning $150,921—nearly double the $86,453 national average. Close behind, San Francisco State University delivers $150,102 in median earnings. Both are regional public universities with acceptance rates above 96%, dismantling the assumption that selective, high-prestige schools own the best outcomes.
CUNY Medgar Evers College makes the strongest case for debt-conscious decision-making: graduates carry just $10,988 in student loans and face a 1.5% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS affordability standards. Including parent loans, the family burden rises to just 3.0%, also 'Excellent.' Strong earnings of $125,792 mean those loans clear fast. Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →
Highest program earnings: $150,921
Strong outcomes ($150,921) with 97% acceptance
1.5% payment burden | Excellent
3.0% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $150,921 | 171 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Excellent | |
| #2 | $150,102 | 162 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Excellent | |
| #3 | $149,622 | 115 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,119 | Good | |
| #4 | Samuel Merritt UniversityPrivate | $148,193 | 508 | $20,825 | Excellent | $28,226 | Excellent |
| #5 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $143,886 | 63 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Excellent |
| #6 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $143,356 | 247 | $23,000 | Excellent | $44,413 | Good |
| #7 | $134,489 | 52 | $12,750 | Excellent | $16,836 | Excellent | |
| #8 | Bushnell UniversityPrivate | $131,400 | 14 | $23,500 | Excellent | $16,276 | Excellent |
| #9 | $129,960 | 196 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Excellent | |
| #10 | $126,959 | 125 | $13,540 | Excellent | $12,700 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $125,792 | 13 | $10,988 | Excellent | $10,068 | Excellent | |
| #12 | University Of BridgeportPrivate | $123,148 | 136 | $25,750 | Excellent | $22,931 | Excellent |
| #13 | $120,822 | 269 | $25,000 | Excellent | $32,040 | Good | |
| #14 | $120,799 | 212 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Excellent | |
| #15 | $120,258 | 120 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Excellent | |
| #16 | $120,196 | 318 | $17,350 | Excellent | $18,031 | Excellent | |
| #17 | $119,502 | 49 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Excellent | |
| #18 | $119,353 | 432 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Excellent | |
| #19 | University Of ProvidencePrivate | $119,206 | 100 | $18,750 | Excellent | $10,000 | Excellent |
| #20 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | $119,115 | 167 | $10,950 | Excellent | $11,955 | Excellent |
| #21 | $119,050 | 195 | $25,949 | Excellent | $23,250 | Excellent | |
| #22 | $118,588 | 181 | $13,807 | Excellent | $11,061 | Excellent | |
| #23 | $118,566 | 54 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Excellent | |
| #24 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | $118,549 | 615 | $23,219 | Excellent | $26,000 | Excellent |
| #25 | New York UniversityPrivate | $118,433 | 431 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
