Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at California State University-Fullerton
Doctoral Degree
Earnings Distribution
How California State University-Fullerton graduates compare to all programs nationally
California State University-Fullerton graduates earn $173k, placing them in the 87th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing doctoral programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing doctoral's programs at peer institutions in California (16 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fullerton | $172,766 | $175,658 | — | — |
| Western University of Health Sciences | $176,424 | — | — | — |
| California State University-Fresno | $173,047 | $170,525 | — | — |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $158,596 | — | — | — |
| University of San Francisco | $155,566 | $186,006 | — | — |
| Samuel Merritt University | $136,861 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $125,929 | — | — | — |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western University of Health Sciences Pomona | — | $176,424 | — |
| California State University-Fresno Fresno | $6,980 | $173,047 | — |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $13,747 | $158,596 | — |
| University of San Francisco San Francisco | $58,222 | $155,566 | — |
| Samuel Merritt University Oakland | — | $136,861 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Fullerton, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.