Best Schools for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn a median of $86,586 within four years of graduating, ranking #26 out of 283 tracked majors — 38% above the median across all fields. There are 859 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 355,213 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: California State University-East Bay graduates earn $150,921 while Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce graduates earn $24,524 — a $126,397 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates see an average 0% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

859
Schools
$86,586
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#26
of 283 Majors
355,213
Graduates

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Public (376 schools)
$87,742
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (437 schools)
$85,002
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing by State

Also by state: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Top Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
California State University-East Bay logo

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$150,921
4yr Earnings
186 grads
2yr: $113,585 (191)
1yr: $99,479 (270)
Acceptance: 96.8%
#2
San Francisco State University logo

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$150,102
4yr Earnings
134 grads
2yr: $111,769 (167)
1yr: $99,655 (119)
Acceptance: 96.2%
#3
Dominican University of California logo

Dominican University of California

San Rafael, CA · Private

$149,622
4yr Earnings
159 grads
2yr: $88,637 (70)
1yr: $89,815 (153)
Acceptance: 95.6%
#4
Sonoma State University logo

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$143,886
4yr Earnings
90 grads
2yr: $110,432 (78)
1yr: $110,859 (79)
Acceptance: 94.7%
#5
University of San Francisco logo

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$143,356
4yr Earnings
285 grads
2yr: $100,292 (216)
1yr: $91,668 (279)
Acceptance: 50.8%
#6
Pacific Union College logo

Pacific Union College

Angwin, CA · Private

$140,542
4yr Earnings
63 grads
2yr: $92,410 (31)
1yr: $92,597 (73)
Acceptance: 42.5%
#7
California State University-Monterey Bay logo

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$134,489
4yr Earnings
101 grads
2yr: $76,460 (22)
1yr: $109,260 (89)
Acceptance: 94.8%
#8
Pacific College logo

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA · For-Profit

$132,148
4yr Earnings
23 grads · small sample
2yr: $101,406 (27)
1yr: $114,248 (29)
Acceptance: 50.0%
#9
Bushnell University logo

Bushnell University

Eugene, OR · Private

$131,400
4yr Earnings
27 grads · small sample
1yr: $93,757 (20)
Acceptance: 66.4%
#10
California State University-Sacramento logo

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$129,960
4yr Earnings
277 grads
2yr: $108,495 (288)
1yr: $105,852 (258)
Acceptance: 93.6%
#11
Helene Fuld College of Nursing logo

Helene Fuld College of Nursing

New York, NY · Private

$127,915
4yr Earnings
16 grads · small sample
2yr: $93,816 (20)
1yr: $102,810 (22)
Acceptance: 23.8%
#12
California State University-Stanislaus logo

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$126,959
4yr Earnings
144 grads
2yr: $99,447 (154)
1yr: $98,218 (143)
Acceptance: 97.5%
#13
CUNY Medgar Evers College logo

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$125,792
4yr Earnings
25 grads · small sample
2yr: $89,044 (38)
1yr: $94,129 (46)
Acceptance: 83.4%
#14
University of Bridgeport logo

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT · Private

$123,148
4yr Earnings
24 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 64.3%
#15
University of Mount Saint Vincent logo

University of Mount Saint Vincent

Bronx, NY · Private

$120,822
4yr Earnings
199 grads
2yr: $83,768 (138)
1yr: $91,801 (246)
Acceptance: 84.6%
#16
San Diego State University logo

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$120,799
4yr Earnings
203 grads
2yr: $87,377 (129)
1yr: $89,225 (241)
Acceptance: 34.4%
#17
American University of Health Sciences logo

American University of Health Sciences

Signal Hill, CA · For-Profit

$120,284
4yr Earnings
98 grads
2yr: $87,682 (114)
1yr: $83,746 (101)
Acceptance: 100.0%
#18
University of Hawaii at Manoa logo

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public

$120,258
4yr Earnings
193 grads
2yr: $70,710 (222)
1yr: $73,721 (154)
Acceptance: 69.7%
#19
California State University-San Marcos logo

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$120,196
4yr Earnings
603 grads
2yr: $88,074 (265)
1yr: $90,827 (504)
Acceptance: 95.7%
#20
University of California-Irvine logo

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$119,502
4yr Earnings
59 grads
2yr: $81,929 (54)
1yr: $72,618 (70)
Acceptance: 25.6%
#21
California State University-Fullerton logo

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$119,353
4yr Earnings
313 grads
2yr: $86,042 (226)
1yr: $86,611 (335)
Acceptance: 86.7%
#22
University of Providence logo

University of Providence

Great Falls, MT · Private

$119,206
4yr Earnings
105 grads
2yr: $100,128 (59)
1yr: $99,225 (71)
Acceptance: 64.2%
#23
CUNY Lehman College logo

CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public

$119,115
4yr Earnings
266 grads
2yr: $95,348 (200)
1yr: $89,786 (282)
Acceptance: 55.4%
#24
Mount Saint Mary's University logo

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$119,050
4yr Earnings
258 grads
2yr: $81,662 (230)
1yr: $84,742 (313)
Acceptance: 68.7%
#25
California State University-Dominguez Hills logo

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$118,588
4yr Earnings
134 grads
2yr: $93,875 (146)
1yr: $102,298 (165)
Acceptance: 91.3%
#26
University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$118,566
4yr Earnings
52 grads
2yr: $90,678 (68)
1yr: $88,168 (69)
Acceptance: 8.7%
#27
Azusa Pacific University logo

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$118,549
4yr Earnings
260 grads
2yr: $89,570 (379)
1yr: $90,222 (534)
Acceptance: 79.5%
#28
New York University logo

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$118,433
4yr Earnings
514 grads
2yr: $94,243 (525)
1yr: $93,346 (652)
Acceptance: 9.4%
#29
Long Island University logo

Long Island University

Brookville, NY · Private

$118,331
4yr Earnings
333 grads
2yr: $94,508 (424)
1yr: $94,012 (399)
Acceptance: 89.8%
#30
Mercy University logo

Mercy University

Dobbs Ferry, NY · Private

$118,232
4yr Earnings
52 grads
2yr: $97,959 (65)
1yr: $115,215 (50)
Acceptance: 85.5%
#31
California State University-Chico logo

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$117,543
4yr Earnings
151 grads
2yr: $95,797 (120)
1yr: $94,107 (159)
Acceptance: 93.7%
#32
New York Institute of Technology logo

New York Institute of Technology

Old Westbury, NY · Private

$117,461
4yr Earnings
66 grads
2yr: $91,744 (40)
1yr: $84,587 (70)
Acceptance: 78.1%
#33
Molloy University logo

Molloy University

Rockville Centre, NY · Private

$117,011
4yr Earnings
533 grads
2yr: $90,956 (419)
1yr: $92,243 (588)
Acceptance: 75.6%
#34
CUNY Graduate School and University Center logo

CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York, NY · Public

$116,969
4yr Earnings
144 grads
2yr: $88,786 (24)
1yr: $94,707 (117)
Acceptance: 38.6%
#35
California State University-Northridge logo

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$116,613
4yr Earnings
100 grads
2yr: $92,124 (84)
1yr: $89,831 (144)
Acceptance: 93.2%
#36
CUNY Hunter College logo

CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public

$116,361
4yr Earnings
151 grads
2yr: $94,255 (161)
1yr: $91,886 (200)
Acceptance: 54.0%
#37
California State University-Los Angeles logo

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$116,182
4yr Earnings
193 grads
2yr: $87,548 (133)
1yr: $90,684 (217)
Acceptance: 91.9%
#38
Pace University logo

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

$115,695
4yr Earnings
238 grads
2yr: $90,727 (208)
1yr: $93,622 (231)
Acceptance: 77.1%
#39
Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

$114,919
4yr Earnings
255 grads
2yr: $85,206 (99)
1yr: $85,406 (227)
Acceptance: 81.8%
#40
National University logo

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$114,413
4yr Earnings
487 grads
2yr: $84,367 (389)
1yr: $85,563 (515)
Acceptance: N/A
#41
Wagner College logo

Wagner College

Staten Island, NY · Private

$113,728
4yr Earnings
143 grads
2yr: $95,910 (157)
1yr: $98,065 (179)
Acceptance: 83.5%
#42
College of Staten Island CUNY logo

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, NY · Public

$113,631
4yr Earnings
92 grads
2yr: $94,579 (144)
1yr: $97,852 (140)
Acceptance: N/A
#43
Simpson University logo

Simpson University

Redding, CA · Private

$113,623
4yr Earnings
42 grads
2yr: $84,161 (87)
1yr: $90,112 (51)
Acceptance: 99.0%
#44
Hawaii Pacific University logo

Hawaii Pacific University

Honolulu, HI · Private

$112,964
4yr Earnings
17 grads · small sample
2yr: $64,990 (104)
1yr: $65,189 (103)
Acceptance: 84.5%
#45
Adelphi University logo

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY · Private

$112,945
4yr Earnings
516 grads
2yr: $90,625 (583)
1yr: $91,066 (566)
Acceptance: 77.5%
#46
California State University-Channel Islands logo

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$112,691
4yr Earnings
119 grads
2yr: $89,613 (107)
1yr: $91,801 (150)
Acceptance: 93.1%
#47
Fresno Pacific University logo

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA · Private

$112,178
4yr Earnings
19 grads · small sample
2yr: $100,849 (17)
1yr: $85,190 (35)
Acceptance: 57.5%
#48
St. Francis College logo

St. Francis College

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$112,171
4yr Earnings
46 grads
2yr: $93,520 (23)
1yr: $93,866 (34)
Acceptance: N/A
#49
CUNY York College logo

CUNY York College

Jamaica, NY · Public

$112,147
4yr Earnings
52 grads
2yr: $87,973 (33)
1yr: $90,102 (68)
Acceptance: 59.4%
#50
Stony Brook University logo

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$111,898
4yr Earnings
272 grads
2yr: $85,898 (299)
1yr: $84,511 (365)
Acceptance: 49.0%

Showing top 50 of 859 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing?
California State University-East Bay ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing with median graduate earnings of $150,921 within four years of graduating. There are 859 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn?
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn an average of $86,586 within four years of graduating. This is 38% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $24,524 to $150,921 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program?
The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs is 76.8%. The most selective program is at Columbia University in the City of New York with a 4.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing?
Private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs average $85,002 in early earnings vs $87,742 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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