Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento State's nursing program delivers exceptional value that parents often overlook. With graduates earning $116,001 in their first year and carrying just $19,000 in debt, this program produces one of the strongest financial outcomes in the country—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings while keeping debt extraordinarily low.

Within California's competitive nursing landscape, this program holds its own at the 60th percentile among 65 schools, placing it solidly in the upper half despite the state's high earning standards. While it doesn't crack the very top tier occupied by schools like Sonoma State, the debt advantage is remarkable: Sacramento State graduates carry $6,000 less debt than the typical California nursing student and $8,000 less than the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means graduates can theoretically pay off their loans with less than two months of income.

The 94% admission rate makes this program accessible to most qualified applicants, while the robust sample size of 100+ graduates provides confidence these outcomes are sustainable. For families seeking a reliable path to a high-paying healthcare career without crushing debt, Sacramento State's nursing program represents one of California's best-kept secrets in higher education value.