Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Biola University

Biola's nursing program highlights why state context matters more than national rankings. While graduates earn $93,629 their first year—well above the national median of $74,888—they're actually below California's median of $100,588. Among 65 California nursing programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives deliver better earnings despite California's higher cost of living.

The comparison with nearby Cal State schools is particularly striking: graduates from CSU East Bay and Stanislaus earn over $25,000 more annually, and even the top programs push $125,000. That gap doesn't close over time either—earnings essentially flatline at $93,700 after four years. The debt burden of $29,375 is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, though higher than both state and national medians.

For families prioritizing faith-based education, Biola may justify this earnings gap. But from a pure financial return perspective, California families have stronger options. If your child is drawn to Biola specifically, the debt level won't be crushing—but expect to see classmates from state schools pulling ahead financially, especially as careers progress and those early salary differences compound.