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

Cal State San Marcos delivers exceptional value in nursing education, with graduates earning $103,799 in their first year—nearly 40% above the national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. While this places the program at the 60th percentile among California's nursing programs (where salaries run significantly higher), it still performs competitively in one of the nation's most lucrative nursing markets.

The debt picture is reasonable with graduates owing a median of $25,047, creating a strong debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24. However, there's an unusual earnings dip to $94,706 by the fourth year—a 9% decline that's worth noting, though this could reflect career transitions or geographic moves rather than diminished prospects.

At a 96% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients (44%), this program offers accessible entry into a high-paying field. While you won't reach the absolute top tier of California nursing salaries, the combination of strong starting pay, manageable debt, and broad accessibility makes this a solid investment for nursing careers.