Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Phoenix-California

This nursing program delivers exceptional national outcomes but falls short of California's high standards. Graduates earn nearly $99,000 in their first year—placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally and far exceeding the national median of $74,888. However, these strong earnings only rank in the 40th percentile within California, where the state median is $100,588 and top programs regularly produce graduates earning $120,000+.

The debt picture is reasonable but not outstanding. At $27,235, student debt sits near both national and state medians, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28. This means graduates typically owe about three months of their starting salary—a manageable burden that allows for financial stability early in their careers. The minimal earnings growth from year one to four (just 1%) suggests graduates hit their earning potential quickly, which is typical for nursing roles.

For California families, this program represents a solid but not exceptional investment. While you're virtually guaranteed strong earnings that outpace most nursing programs nationwide, you're also paying for outcomes that are merely average within California's competitive nursing landscape. If your child can access higher-performing state schools like Sonoma State or CSU East Bay, those would offer better returns. However, if admission to top-tier programs isn't feasible, this program still delivers the financial security and career prospects that make nursing attractive.