Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing doctoral degree programs in California

Compare 7 reporting programs using the same federal field and doctoral degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

7Programs reporting earnings

$178,950Median year-4 earnings

Not availableMedian federal debt

0Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1California State University, FresnoFresno · Debt not reported$207,668 2University of San FranciscoSan Francisco · Debt not reported$201,545 3California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$181,807 4University of San DiegoSan Diego · Debt not reported$178,950 5Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda · Debt not reported$167,117 6University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo · Debt not reported$156,172 7Samuel Merritt UniversityOakland · Debt not reported$147,055

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1072Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $81,960
Middle 50% wage range: $62,530–$116,460
State employment: 5,610
Projected growth: +17.1%
Annual openings: 8,500

10th–90th percentile: $47,840–$164,450

29-1141Registered Nurses

State median wage: $140,270
Middle 50% wage range: $122,440–$173,170
State employment: 338,940
Projected growth: +5.6%
Annual openings: 180,800

10th–90th percentile: $101,260–$213,320

29-1171Nurse Practitioners

State median wage: $168,520
Middle 50% wage range: $145,980–$209,350
State employment: 25,120
Projected growth: +41.0%
Annual openings: 29,400

10th–90th percentile: $120,340–$240,830

11-9111Medical and Health Services Managers

State median wage: $141,480
Middle 50% wage range: $98,470–$205,390
State employment: 75,090
Projected growth: +24.2%
Annual openings: 62,300

10th–90th percentile: $72,800–$274,660

29-1151Nurse Anesthetists

State median wage: $292,410
Middle 50% wage range: $277,920–$315,990
State employment: 2,230
Projected growth: +9.7%
Annual openings: 2,400

10th–90th percentile: $200,530–$335,550

29-1161Nurse Midwives

State median wage: $203,840
Middle 50% wage range: $176,080–$216,560
State employment: 870
Projected growth: +11.5%
Annual openings: 400

10th–90th percentile: $140,970–$227,590

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	California State University, Fresno	Fresno	$207,668	Not available
2	University of San Francisco	San Francisco	$201,545	Not available
3	California State University, Fullerton	Fullerton	$181,807	Not available
4	University of San Diego	San Diego	$178,950	Not available
5	Loma Linda University	Loma Linda	$167,117	Not available
6	University of Massachusetts Global	Aliso Viejo	$156,172	Not available
7	Samuel Merritt University	Oakland	$147,055	Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in California

What do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing doctoral degree graduates earn in California?

Across 7 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $178,950 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. California State University, Fresno has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.