Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at California State University-San Marcos
Master's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How California State University-San Marcos graduates compare to all programs nationally
California State University-San Marcos graduates earn $120k, placing them in the 78th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing masters 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 masters's programs at peer institutions in California (45 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-San Marcos | $119,753 | $114,276 | — | — |
| Loma Linda University | $217,830 | $149,473 | — | — |
| California State University-Fullerton | $193,133 | $148,672 | — | — |
| National University | $147,392 | — | — | — |
| California State University-Fresno | $146,559 | $128,046 | — | — |
| California State University-Los Angeles | $145,897 | $138,953 | — | — |
| National Median | $106,264 | — | — | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loma Linda University Loma Linda | — | $217,830 | — |
| California State University-Fullerton Fullerton | $7,073 | $193,133 | — |
| National University San Diego | $13,320 | $147,392 | — |
| California State University-Fresno Fresno | $6,980 | $146,559 | — |
| California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $6,813 | $145,897 | — |
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-San Marcos, approximately 44% 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.