Best colleges for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, California State University-East Bay leads: its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn a median $150,921 four years after finishing, against the field's $88,910 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University-East Bay | $150,921 | +$62,011 |
| 2 | San Francisco State University | $150,102 | +$61,192 |
| 3 | Dominican University of California | $149,622 | +$60,712 |
| 4 | Sonoma State University | $143,886 | +$54,976 |
| 5 | University of San Francisco | $143,356 | +$54,446 |
| 6 | California State University-Monterey Bay | $134,489 | +$45,579 |
| 7 | California State University-Sacramento | $129,960 | +$41,050 |
| 8 | California State University-Stanislaus | $126,959 | +$38,049 |
| 9 | San Diego State University | $120,799 | +$31,889 |
| 10 | California State University-San Marcos | $120,196 | +$31,286 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing?
By graduate earnings, California State University-East Bay — its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelor's graduates earn a median $150,921 four years out, the highest of the 10 California programs in the federal file.
What do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $120,196 to $150,921. The field's national median is $88,910.
Is a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn $40,550/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.