Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in California
- 50
- Schools
- $62,517
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,284
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,708
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $36,243 to $109,183, a 3.0× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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San Joaquin Delta College delivers the most for the money: roughly $43,212 in median earnings against $2,407 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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San Joaquin Delta College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,407 a year in net price.
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Santa Clara University graduates 88% of its students, versus a 56% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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De Anza College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Azusa Pacific University ($66,677 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Santa Clara University ($109,183), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- San Joaquin Delta College costs $2,407 a year and Santa Clara University costs $50,062. Yet their graduates earn $43,212 and $109,183, nowhere near the $47,655 price gap.
- On value, San Joaquin Delta College beats Santa Clara University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with San Joaquin Delta College and Santa Clara University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $63K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Azusa Pacific University #1 overall | $66,677 ▲ +7% vs avg | $22,212 | 63% | 91 |
| 2 Dominican University of California #2 overall | $84,713 ▲ +36% vs avg | $35,333 | 77% | 87 |
| 3 San Francisco State University #3 overall | $68,077 ▲ +9% vs avg | $12,278 | 50% | 84 |
| $70,484 ▲ +13% vs avg | $41,008 | 55% | 83 | |
| $78,988 ▲ +26% vs avg | $13,760 | 67% | 83 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in California
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $62,517 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $17,284.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: San Joaquin Delta College — Net Price: $2,407 | Graduation Rate: 33%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Santa Clara University — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Santa Clara University — Median alumni earnings: $109,183
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$62,930
Median earnings (10yr)
55%
Median graduation rate
$12,678
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 55%. Median graduate earnings reach $62,930 ten years after enrollment, roughly $14,930 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,678 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $15,186. Some 37% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.4%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Azusa Pacific University leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $62,930 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Azusa Pacific University lands at #1 with a 91/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $66,677 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,212 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Dominican University of California lands at #2 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $84,713 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,333 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
San Francisco State University lands at #3 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $68,077 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,278 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Pacific Union College lands at #4 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $70,484 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,008 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
San Jose State University lands at #5 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $78,988 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,760 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of San Francisco lands at #6 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $89,812 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,431 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Butte College lands at #7 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $41,810 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,520 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Fresno Pacific University lands at #8 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,896 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,630 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Mount Saint Mary's University lands at #9 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $72,379 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,413 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Sonoma State University lands at #10 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $65,986 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,885 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Mendocino College lands at #11 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,243 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,330 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Costa Mesa, CA · 62% accepted · $21,241 net
Why it ranks #12
Vanguard University of Southern California lands at #12 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $59,541 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,241 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
San Diego State University lands at #13 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $64,909 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Point Loma Nazarene University lands at #14 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $63,998 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,729 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Simpson University lands at #15 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $54,340 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,817 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Sacramento, CA · 94% accepted · $9,338 net
Why it ranks #16
California State University-Sacramento lands at #16 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $64,876 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
California State University-Stanislaus lands at #17 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (65/100). Graduates earn a median $63,188 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,067 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Sierra College lands at #18 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,294 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,245 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
College of Marin lands at #19 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,654 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,351 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
La Sierra University lands at #20 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (24/100). Graduates earn a median $61,824 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $45,566 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
California State University-East Bay lands at #21 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $71,401 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,320 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
National University lands at #22 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,548 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,878 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Biola University lands at #23 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $56,778 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,495 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
California Baptist University lands at #24 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $61,504 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,285 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Concordia University-Irvine lands at #25 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $65,083 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,115 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
University of the Pacific lands at #26 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $78,445 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,447 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of California-Irvine lands at #27 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $80,735 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,251 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Camarillo, CA · 95% accepted · $9,849 net
Why it ranks #28
California State University-Channel Islands lands at #28 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,152 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,849 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Pasadena City College lands at #29 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,937 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Saddleback College lands at #30 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $50,874 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,152 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Santa Clara University lands at #31 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 75% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
California State University-Fullerton lands at #32 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $62,951 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,555 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Carson, CA · 93% accepted · $8,615 net
Why it ranks #33
California State University-Dominguez Hills lands at #33 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,162 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,615 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Long Beach, CA · 46% accepted · $10,440 net
Why it ranks #34
California State University-Long Beach lands at #34 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $64,403 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,440 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Los Angeles, CA · 39% accepted · $35,558 net
Why it ranks #35
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science lands at #35 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $83,438 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,558 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Northridge, CA · 93% accepted · $7,021 net
Why it ranks #36
California State University-Northridge lands at #36 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $59,115 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,021 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
College of the Canyons lands at #37 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,022 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,702 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Westmont College lands at #38 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $64,778 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,053 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Napa Valley College lands at #39 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $49,517 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,644 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
University of California-San Diego lands at #40 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $84,943 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,470 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
San Bernardino, CA · 94% accepted · $4,564 net
Why it ranks #41
California State University-San Bernardino lands at #41 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,977 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,564 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Los Angeles, CA · 91% accepted · $3,967 net
Why it ranks #42
California State University-Los Angeles lands at #42 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,211 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,967 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Marcos, CA · 95% accepted · $10,229 net
Why it ranks #43
California State University-San Marcos lands at #43 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,908 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,229 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
San Joaquin Delta College lands at #44 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $43,212 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,407 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
California State University-Chico lands at #45 with a 71/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $64,172 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,480 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Santa Barbara City College lands at #46 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,647 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,315 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
College of the Redwoods lands at #47 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,243 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Glendale Community College lands at #48 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $41,540 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,365 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
University of Redlands lands at #49 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $72,690 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,031 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
De Anza College lands at #50 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $56,596 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,642 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing colleges in California are critical for aspiring healthcare professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in their communities. With the demand for nurses growing, families are weighing their options carefully. In fact, California is home to some of the highest-earning nursing graduates in the country, with average earnings around $59,869.
What separates the strong nursing programs in this list from the rest are key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and student debt. Schools that excel in these areas not only prepare students for successful careers but also ensure they graduate with manageable debt. The list below highlights 50 nursing programs, focusing on their ability to equip students for both immediate job placement and long-term career success.
For instance, the University of California-San Diego stands out with an impressive earning potential of $84,943 and a graduation rate of 87%. In contrast, California State University-Sacramento, while still a viable option, shows a lower earning average of $64,876 and a graduation rate of only 56%. This illustrates the trade-offs families need to consider when selecting a program that aligns with their goals and financial situation.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 33 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.4%. Glendale Community College leads the group at 7.1%, with San Jose State University (5.4%) and Pasadena City College (4.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 10.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Glendale Community College leads at 32.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 28.1% across this list. Santa Clara University posts the highest success rate at 62%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.54 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of San Francisco reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a pattern emerges that highlights the disparities between schools. For example, while the University of California-Irvine has a solid earning potential of $80,735, it also boasts a high graduation rate of 86%. This suggests that their support systems for students may be more effective compared to California State University-Sacramento, which has a lower graduation rate of 56% and correspondingly lower earnings.
Now that you've seen the range of options, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing the potential for higher earnings, or is a lower net price more appealing? Consider factors like location, campus culture, and program fit in addition to the numbers. This personalized approach will help you find the right match for your unique situation.
Ultimately, this data reveals a crucial truth: the right nursing program can significantly impact a graduate's career trajectory and financial stability. For families making these decisions, it’s vital to recognize that the right choice can lead to a secure and fulfilling life in the healthcare sector. Each decision shapes not just a student's future, but the well-being of the communities they will serve.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in California: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in California ranking? +
Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in California ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $66,677 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 63% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Santa Clara University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $109,183 ten years after enrollment, well above the $62,517 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, San Joaquin Delta College leads: graduates earn a median $43,212 against net price of about $2,407 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Santa Clara University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 56% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,284 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. San Joaquin Delta College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,407. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in California ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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