Best colleges for Registered Nursing
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Registered Nursing by graduate earnings are Sonoma State University ($125,646), California State University - East Bay ($124,392) and Samuel Merritt University ($119,486), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park, CA): $125,646, 94 graduates a year
- California State University - East Bay (Hayward, CA): $124,392, 172 graduates a year
- Samuel Merritt University (Oakland, CA): $119,486, 719 graduates a year
- California State University - Stanislaus (Turlock, CA): $119,356, 148 graduates a year
- San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA): $117,532, 211 graduates a year
Compare 2,144 U.S. colleges offering Registered Nursing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 57 states.
Registered Nursing programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,666 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.38 and the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC).
About Registered Nursing programs
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the nursing field, including both clinical and administrative aspects of nursing. Students pursuing this program will learn how to assess patient needs, administer medications, and monitor health conditions. This program is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, detail-oriented, and eager to make a difference in the healthcare community.
Core skills developed in the Registered Nursing program include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Students will also gain knowledge in psychology, medicine, and patient care, preparing them for real-world nursing challenges and responsibilities.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $125,646 | 94 | 58% | — | $19,750 |
| 2 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $124,392 | 172 | 48% | — | $18,875 |
| 3 | Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $119,486 | 719 | — | — | $25,000 |
| 4 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $119,356 | 148 | 53% | — | $23,450 |
| 5 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $117,532 | 211 | 50% | — | $16,875 |
| 6 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $117,088 | 78 | 59% | — | $9,489 |
| 7 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $116,001 | 249 | 56% | — | $19,000 |
| 8 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $113,718 | 51 | 32% | — | $12,125 |
| 9 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $113,181 | 112 | 63% | — | $20,125 |
| 10 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $112,670 | 210 | — | — | $22,023 |
| 11 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $111,360 | 625 | 88% | $29,023 | $25,500 |
| 12 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $110,626 | 232 | 43% | — | $18,750 |
| 13 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $110,335 | 168 | 34% | — | $17,125 |
| 14 | Wagner College Staten Island, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $108,746 | 142 | 65% | $27,316 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Pace University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $107,433 | 425 | 60% | $29,994 | $27,000 |
| 16 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $106,780 | 153 | 57% | — | $20,000 |
| 17 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $106,348 | 81 | 54% | $28,311 | $26,062 |
| 18 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $105,747 | 523 | 70% | $25,812 | $31,000 |
| 19 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $105,521 | 686 | 62% | $20,686 | $26,898 |
| 20 | Monroe University Bronx, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $105,209 | 179 | 57% | $12,028 | $23,003 |
| 21 | University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $105,134 | 278 | 57% | $20,371 | $30,500 |
| 22 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $104,219 | 90 | 65% | — | $27,031 |
| 23 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $103,799 | 309 | 55% | — | $25,047 |
| 24 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $103,692 | 307 | 57% | — | $16,944 |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $103,508 | 87 | 53% | — | $21,646 |
Top 12 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unitek College Fremont, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $120,006 | 413 | 73% | $27,021 | $27,113 |
| 2 | Yuba College Marysville, CA Public · Associate degree | $117,283 | 56 | 40% | — | $8,729 |
| 3 | Pacific Union College Angwin, CA Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $110,696 | 208 | 58% | $18,938 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Merced College Merced, CA Public · Associate degree | $107,024 | 51 | 36% | — | $12,750 |
| 5 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CA Public · Associate degree | $105,599 | 66 | 44% | — | $17,075 |
| 6 | American Career College - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $105,516 | 152 | 75% | $28,906 | $34,498 |
| 7 | Carrington College - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $104,423 | 79 | 51% | $38,203 | $35,740 |
| 8 | Butte College Oroville, CA Public · Associate degree | $104,268 | 164 | 45% | — | $15,375 |
| 9 | Cochran School of Nursing Yonkers, NY Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $102,553 | 51 | — | — | $26,758 |
| 10 | Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA Public · Associate degree | $101,955 | 64 | 34% | — | $21,037 |
| 11 | Mendocino College Ukiah, CA Public · Associate degree | $113,261 | 22 | 25% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului, HI Public · Associate degree | $102,390 | 40 | 28% | — | $11,577 |
Specializations within Registered Nursing
23 of the 23 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.38 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions56 states - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions50 states - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions50 states
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions44 states
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions47 states - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions44 states
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions33 states
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions34 states
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions27 states - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions15 states - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions24 states - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions18 states
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions16 states - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions23 states
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions18 states - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions10 states - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions7 states - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions11 states - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions12 states
- Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions8 states - Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824New in CIP 2020partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
Offered across 57 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Registered Nursing program can pursue various careers in healthcare, with a strong job outlook projected at 4.9% growth and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Registered Nursing
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.38.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.38 (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managers |
| 25-1072 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1141 | Registered Nursesprimary |
| 29-1151 | Nurse Anesthetists |
| 29-1161 | Nurse Midwives |
| 29-1171 | Nurse Practitioners |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Registered Nursing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Registered Nursing program?+
The program focuses on preparing students for a career in nursing, covering both clinical and administrative aspects.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, communication, and patient care skills.
What is the job outlook for registered nurses?+
The job outlook for registered nurses is about 4.9% growth with around 189,100 annual openings.
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical education requirement for registered nurses.
How much do Registered Nursing graduates earn?+
Registered Nursing graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,666, College Scorecard (2019); the Registered Nurses occupation pays about $101,420 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Registered Nursing?+
Registered Nursing maps to CIP 51.38 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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