Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in California

California has 46 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 24,033 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $89,624 on average within two years — 40% above the national average of $64,009, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: California State University-East Bay graduates earn $113,585 while Touro University California graduates earn $67,812 — a $45,773 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$89,624

CA Avg. Earnings

$64,009

National Avg.

896

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California

Public Schools (21)

$92,654

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (14)

$87,879

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$113,585

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $99,479

Graduates: 270

Acceptance: 96.8%

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$111,769

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $99,655

Graduates: 119

Acceptance: 96.2%

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA ·

$110,846

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $101,572

Graduates: 585

Acceptance: N/A

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$110,432

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $110,859

Graduates: 79

Acceptance: 94.7%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$108,495

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $105,852

Graduates: 258

Acceptance: 93.6%

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA · For-Profit

$101,406

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $114,248

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 50.0%

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA · Private

$100,849

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,190

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 57.5%

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$100,292

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $91,668

Graduates: 279

Acceptance: 50.8%

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$99,447

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $98,218

Graduates: 143

Acceptance: 97.5%

#10

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$95,797

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $94,107

Graduates: 159

Acceptance: 93.7%

#11

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$93,875

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $102,298

Graduates: 165

Acceptance: 91.3%

#12

Pacific Union College

Angwin, CA · Private

$92,410

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $92,597

Graduates: 73

Acceptance: 42.5%

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$92,277

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $89,196

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 80.2%

#14

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$92,124

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $89,831

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 93.2%

#15

Vanguard University of Southern California

Costa Mesa, CA · Private

$91,300

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $91,857

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 64.7%

#16

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$90,678

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $88,168

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 8.7%

#17

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA ·

$89,658

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $93,366

Graduates: 249

Acceptance: N/A

#18

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$89,613

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $91,801

Graduates: 150

Acceptance: 93.1%

#19

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$89,570

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $90,222

Graduates: 534

Acceptance: 79.5%

#20

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$88,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $79,025

Graduates: 155

Acceptance: 98.3%

#21

Dominican University of California

San Rafael, CA · Private

$88,637

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $89,815

Graduates: 153

Acceptance: 95.6%

#22

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$88,250

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $86,805

Graduates: 1,322

Acceptance: N/A

#23

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$88,074

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $90,827

Graduates: 504

Acceptance: 95.7%

#24

American University of Health Sciences

Signal Hill, CA · For-Profit

$87,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $83,746

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 100.0%

#25

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$87,548

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $90,684

Graduates: 217

Acceptance: 91.9%

#26

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$87,377

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $89,225

Graduates: 241

Acceptance: 34.4%

#27

Holy Names University

Oakland, CA · Private

$86,867

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $90,368

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: N/A

#28

Concordia University-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Private

$86,202

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,686

Graduates: 137

Acceptance: 59.9%

#29

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$86,042

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $86,611

Graduates: 335

Acceptance: 86.7%

#30

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$85,795

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $83,777

Graduates: 308

Acceptance: 47.1%

#31

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

$85,206

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,406

Graduates: 227

Acceptance: 81.8%

#32

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$85,159

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $84,004

Graduates: 184

Acceptance: 96.4%

#33

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$84,367

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,563

Graduates: 515

Acceptance: N/A

#34

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$84,201

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $79,565

Graduates: 283

Acceptance: 73.6%

#35

Simpson University

Redding, CA · Private

$84,161

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $90,112

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 99.0%

#36

United States University

San Diego, CA ·

West Coast University-Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA · For-Profit

$82,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $80,831

Graduates: 2,707

Acceptance: N/A

#38

West Coast University-Orange County

Anaheim, CA · For-Profit

$82,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $80,831

Graduates: 2,707

Acceptance: N/A

#39

West Coast University-Ontario

Ontario, CA · For-Profit

$82,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $80,831

Graduates: 2,707

Acceptance: N/A

#40

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$81,929

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,618

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 25.6%

#41

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$81,662

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $84,742

Graduates: 313

Acceptance: 68.7%

#42

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$80,521

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $81,247

Graduates: 75

Acceptance: 88.2%

#43

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$76,460

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $109,260

Graduates: 89

Acceptance: 94.8%

#44

Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private

$74,576

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $78,482

Graduates: 63

Acceptance: 60.1%

#45

Chamberlain University-California

Rancho Cordova, CA · For-Profit

$71,315

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,883

Graduates: 7,000

Acceptance: 60.0%

#46

Touro University California

Vallejo, CA ·

$67,812

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,339

Graduates: 66

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California?

California State University-East Bay ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California with median graduate earnings of $113,585 within two years of graduation. There are 46 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.

How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in California?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in California earn an average of $89,624 within two years of graduation. This is 40% above the national average of $64,009 for this major.

What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 76.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California?

In California, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $87,879 vs $92,654 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 21 public and 14 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.