Best MSN Programs in California

Registered nursing master’s graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $123,961 3 years after graduation, placing them in the top 10% nationally.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

Our registered nursing graduate rankings cover 22 of the 32 programs available in California, accounting for 86% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or debt data.

Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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Ranking methodology

20 of 21

#1 in California | #3 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.13

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $138,953

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in California | #6 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.15

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $128,046

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $20,522

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in California | #11 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.17

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $135,896

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $23,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in California | #21 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.23

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $148,672

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in California | #44 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.27

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $148,639

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $50,303

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in California | #52 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.29

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $97,506

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $22,103

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in California | #54 in Nursing nationally

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California

Economic score 0.29

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $144,666

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $50,562

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in California | #55 in Nursing nationally

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Economic score 0.29

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $149,654

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $53,308

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in California | #65 in Nursing nationally

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Economic score 0.31

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $190,972

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $96,260

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in California | #99 in Nursing nationally

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California

Economic score 0.34

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $125,611

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in California | #124 in Nursing nationally

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Economic score 0.36

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $118,435

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in California | #215 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.45

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $116,547

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $50,511

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in California | #225 in Nursing nationally

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

Economic score 0.46

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $127,490

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in California | #279 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.57

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $114,276

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $60,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in California | #290 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.59

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $131,981

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.6

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $85,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#16 in California | #291 in Nursing nationally

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

Economic score 0.59

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $138,745

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $93,083

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#17 in California | #299 in Nursing nationally

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California

Economic score 0.62

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $155,322

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.9

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $139,395

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#18 in California | #301 in Nursing nationally

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Economic score 0.63

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $137,452

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $96,735

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#19 in California | #312 in Nursing nationally
Economic score 0.69

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $127,152

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $94,100

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#20 in California | #340 in Nursing nationally

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

Economic score 1.26

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $105,566

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $119,008

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

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How long does it take to pay down debt in registered nursing in California?

Years

Under a year

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in registered nursing is covered by average graduate earnings in under a year.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in registered nursing earn in California?

Salary

$123,961

The median master's degree in registered nursing graduate earns $123,961 4 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in registered nursing cost in California?

Net cost

$22,111

The average annual cost of a master's degree in registered nursing is $22,111. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

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