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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
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.
A master of science in nursing provides the necessary skills for specialist roles. Practitioner-track MSN programs can lead to a career as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Non-practitioner tracks are the primary path to careers in nursing education or administration. See below the best MSN programs, ranked according to our methodology.
Our master's in nursing rankings cover 408 of the 493 universities available, accounting for 96% of total student conferrals. Three years after completing their degree, graduates earn a weighted average salary of $101,473.
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $11,634
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$20,500
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.18
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.
#2 in California|#10 in Nursing nationally
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, California
Economic score:0.20
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $25,097
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$33,116
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.25
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.
#3 in California|#21 in Nursing nationally
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $6,918
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$28,804
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.25
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.
#4 in California|#22 in Nursing nationally
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, California
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $9,139
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$21,454
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.21
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.
#5 in California|#31 in Nursing nationally
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Economic score:0.26
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $26,353
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$43,248
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.32
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.
#6 in California|#36 in Nursing nationally
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $20,019
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$41,000
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.31
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.
#7 in California|#37 in Nursing nationally
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: - $4,901
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$26,588
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.26
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.
#8 in California|#42 in Nursing nationally
Holy Names University
Oakland, California
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $35,876
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$52,779
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.36
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.
#9 in California|#45 in Nursing nationally
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Economic score:0.28
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $1,630
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$36,034
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.29
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.
#10 in California|#86 in Nursing nationally
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, 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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $5,764
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$41,000
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.35
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.
#11 in California|#123 in Nursing nationally
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, California
Economic score:0.37
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $806
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$40,982
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.37
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.
#12 in California|#125 in Nursing nationally
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
Economic score:0.37
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $25,745
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$61,466
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.45
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.
#13 in California|#128 in Nursing nationally
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
Economic score:0.37
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $20,773
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$56,641
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.44
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.
#14 in California|#226 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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $9,800
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$59,948
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.51
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.
#15 in California|#279 in Nursing nationally
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Economic score:0.53
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $2,041
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$59,256
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.54
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.
#16 in California|#298 in Nursing nationally
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Economic score:0.55
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $50,351
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$129,162
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.80
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.
#17 in California|#301 in Nursing nationally
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Economic score:0.56
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $12,057
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$78,357
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.62
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.
#18 in California|#322 in Nursing nationally
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, 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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $44,344
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$130,688
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.91
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.
#19 in California|#338 in Nursing nationally
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Economic score:0.72
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $16,839
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$104,364
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.82
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.
#20 in California|#343 in Nursing nationally
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Los Angeles, California
Economic score:0.75
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.
Median earnings of all students 3 years after graduation.
EarningsPlus: + $4,495
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Debt:$88,275
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Debt to earnings:0.78
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.
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 master's degree in registered nursing earn in California?
Salary
$126,012
The median master's degree in registered nursing graduate earns $126,012 3 years after graduating.
How much does a master's degree in registered nursing cost in California?
Net cost
$27,197
The average annual cost of a master's degree in registered nursing is $27,197. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.
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