Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pacific College

In California's competitive nursing landscape, similar bachelor's programs suggest first-year earnings around $100,000—significantly higher than the national median of $75,000 but roughly on par with the state average. By year four, this program's graduates reach $112,000, which trails the top California State University programs by $10,000-$15,000. That gap matters when you're carrying estimated debt of $38,000, well above both the state median ($25,000) and national median ($27,000) for nursing degrees.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 remains manageable for nursing, where solid incomes typically make loans serviceable within a few years. However, half of students here receive Pell grants, meaning many families are starting from limited financial resources. Comparable programs in California show you can find lower debt loads at public universities while potentially achieving stronger earnings outcomes—Sonoma State and Cal State East Bay graduates, for instance, are earning $125,000 within a year of graduation.

Here's the bottom line: nursing degrees generally pay off, and the earnings trajectory looks solid, but this program's estimated costs appear high relative to alternatives in California. Before committing, get the school's actual graduate outcomes and compare them directly against nearby CSU programs, where your child might achieve better earnings with less debt.