Registered Nursing

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$76,181

Median Earnings

$85,283

Schools Offering

846

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $79,037Median: $85,28375th: $93,334

Best Schools for Registered Nursing by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	California State University-East Bay CA · Public	81	$150,921	$9,320	$18,875	A
2	San Francisco State University CA · Public	80	$150,102	$12,278	$16,875	A
3	Dominican University of California CA · Private	81	$149,622	$35,333	$27,000	B+
4	Sonoma State University CA · Public	81	$143,886	$12,885	$19,750	A
5	University of San Francisco CA · Private	80	$143,356	$41,431	$27,000	B+
6	Pacific Union College CA · Private	57	$140,542	$41,008	$31,000	B+
7	California State University-Monterey Bay CA · Public	76	$134,489	$13,663	$9,489	A
8	Bushnell University OR · Private	47	$131,400	$20,789	$28,704	B+
9	California State University-Sacramento CA · Public	83	$129,960	$9,338	$19,000	A
10	Berkeley College-Woodland Park NJ · Private	16	$128,038	$27,100	$45,693	C+
11	California State University-Stanislaus CA · Public	82	$126,959	$6,067	$23,450	A
12	CUNY Medgar Evers College NY · Public	56	$125,792	$5,718	$21,213	A
13	University of Bridgeport CT · Private	27	$123,148	$27,807	$31,000	B+
14	University of Mount Saint Vincent NY · Private	68	$120,822	$21,696	$30,500	B+
15	San Diego State University CA · Public	84	$120,799	$15,364	$18,875	A
16	University of Hawaii at Manoa HI · Public	72	$120,258	$15,664	$15,308	A
17	California State University-San Marcos CA · Public	80	$120,196	$10,229	$25,047	A
18	University of California-Irvine CA · Public	94	$119,502	$14,251	$13,400	A
19	California State University-Fullerton CA · Public	88	$119,353	$6,555	$17,375	A
20	University of Providence MT · Private	35	$119,206	$17,649	$23,847	A
21	CUNY Lehman College NY · Public	78	$119,115	$3,148	$20,055	A
22	Mount Saint Mary's University CA · Private	75	$119,050	$21,413	$27,000	B+
23	California State University-Dominguez Hills CA · Public	71	$118,588	$8,615	$18,750	A
24	University of California-Los Angeles CA · Public	96	$118,566	$12,548	$20,800	A
25	Azusa Pacific University CA · Private	71	$118,549	$22,212	$26,898	B+
26	New York University NY · Private	84	$118,433	$37,050	$25,500	A
27	Long Island University NY · Private	49	$118,331	$33,062	$31,000	B+
28	Mercy University NY · Private	53	$118,232	$14,072	$35,500	B
29	California State University-Chico CA · Public	82	$117,543	$14,480	$20,125	A
30	New York Institute of Technology NY · Private	73	$117,461	$22,443	$35,500	B
31	Molloy University NY · Private	82	$117,011	$24,347	$31,000	B+
32	California State University-Northridge CA · Public	80	$116,613	$7,021	$20,000	A
33	CUNY Hunter College NY · Public	83	$116,361	$2,984	$16,944	A
34	California State University-Los Angeles CA · Public	80	$116,182	$3,967	$18,964	A
35	Pace University NY · Private	68	$115,695	$30,892	$27,000	B+
36	Point Loma Nazarene University CA · Private	62	$114,919	$38,729	$27,000	B+
37	National University CA · Private	64	$114,413	$22,878	$37,375	B
38	Wagner College NY · Private	76	$113,728	$28,241	$27,000	A
39	College of Staten Island CUNY NY · Public	67	$113,631	$5,579	$17,125	A
40	Simpson University CA · Private	44	$113,623	$27,817	$28,635	B+
41	Hawaii Pacific University HI · Private	48	$112,964	$29,657	$25,000	B+
42	Adelphi University NY · Private	75	$112,945	$30,783	$27,000	B+
43	California State University-Channel Islands CA · Public	79	$112,691	$9,849	$19,750	A
44	Fresno Pacific University CA · Private	62	$112,178	$13,630	N/A	-
45	St. Francis College NY · Private	57	$112,171	$18,129	$31,073	B
46	CUNY York College NY · Public	72	$112,147	$4,456	$12,125	A
47	Stony Brook University NY · Public	87	$111,898	$18,784	$23,000	A
48	California State University-Long Beach CA · Public	86	$111,681	$10,440	$18,661	A
49	West Coast University-Los Angeles CA · Private	69	$111,455	$53,020	$38,145	B
50	West Coast University-Orange County CA · Private	83	$111,455	$32,879	$38,145	B

Exceptional Value

Is Registered Nursing Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

Registered Nursing is one of the strongest financial bets in higher education. With average graduate earnings of $76,181 four years after graduation, this field consistently outperforms the median across all majors. The return on investment is clear.

With 846 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is Sonoma State University, where graduates earn $125,646 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Registered Nursing All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Related Majors

Public Health Biology Kinesiology

Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.