Est. Earnings (1yr)
$100,589
Est. from CA median (40 programs)
Median Debt
$32,641
21% above national median

Analysis

California's strong nursing market helps explain why similar programs across the state show first-year earnings around $100,000β€”well above the national median of $75,000. United States University's nursing graduates appear to follow this pattern, though specific outcomes for this program aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes. By year four, when actual data becomes reportable, earnings reach $105,753, suggesting steady but modest growth compared to top California programs where new nurses often start above $119,000.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $32,641, particularly given California's elevated cost of living. This sits above both the state median ($25,000) and national median ($27,000) for nursing programs, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means graduates based on comparable programs would owe roughly a third of their first-year salary. That's manageable territory for a field with reliable employment, though it's worth noting that several California State University campuses produce similar outcomes with significantly lower debt burdens.

The practical consideration: nursing credentials travel well, and California's licensing requirements ensure rigorous training regardless of where you earn your BSN. If United States University's outcomes align with peer programs as suggested, graduates should manage their debt comfortably. However, the higher debt load means less flexibility in those first few years compared to CSU alternativesβ€”something that matters if your child wants to pursue lower-paying specialty areas or work part-time while starting a family.

Where United States University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
United States Universityβ€”$105,753β€”
California State University-East Bay$124,392$139,795+12%
Samuel Merritt University$119,486$135,557+13%
Dominican University of California$97,762$132,781+36%
San Francisco State University$117,532$132,542+13%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (65 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
United States UniversitySan Diego$6,600$100,589*$105,753$32,641β€”
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park$8,190$125,646*$124,083$19,7500.16
California State University-East BayHayward$7,055$124,392*$139,795$18,8750.15
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandβ€”$119,486*$135,557$25,0000.21
California State University-StanislausTurlock$7,826$119,356*$111,925$23,4500.20
Pacific Union CollegeAngwin$35,214$119,258*$112,642$31,0000.26
National Medianβ€”$74,888*β€”$27,0000.36
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
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 United States University, approximately 12% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 40 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.