AI Outlook · Thematic
Cheapest Degrees That Pay Well (2026)
100 programs ranked · Updated 2026
Programs under $40K tuition where graduates still earn $50K+ in Year 1.
Why Sonoma State? Bay Area Salaries Meet Public School Prices
Sonoma State’s #1 rank isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a powerful formula: pairing an affordable, high-quality public education with one of the most lucrative job markets in the country. As part of the California State University system, its nursing program provides a direct pipeline into Bay Area healthcare networks like Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, where starting salaries are pushed sky-high by regional demand and cost of living. Graduating with $125k in earning potential from a program with a four-year tuition of just $32,760 is the ultimate ROI cheat code.
The California Public School Formula Dominates This List
The most striking pattern isn't one school, but a system. Eleven of the top 20 programs are from California State University (CSU) campuses, and all are for nursing. This isn't a coincidence; it's by design. The CSU system was built to provide accessible, career-focused education that meets California's economic needs. With a massive nursing shortage in the state, these affordable, high-quality public programs are the primary engine producing graduates for high-demand, high-wage jobs, creating a repeatable model for exceptional financial return.
AI Won't Replace Nurses—It Will Free Them From Paperwork
Seeing a 43% "High" AI risk for nursing might seem alarming, but it points to a job evolution, not elimination. AI is poised to automate the most tedious parts of the job—charting, data entry, and sifting through patient records—not the core tasks of patient care. This frees you up to focus on what humans do best: critical thinking in emergencies, hands-on procedures, and providing empathetic support. For graduates entering the field in 2026, tech fluency will be key to leveraging AI as a powerful assistant, not a competitor.
Look Beyond Salary: Your Debt-to-Earnings Ratio Is Your Future
A high salary can be quickly erased by high debt. The data shows that where you earn your degree matters immensely. A graduate from California State University-Monterey Bay, for example, enters the workforce with an incredible $117,088 salary and just $5,500 in average debt. In contrast, a graduate from University of Arkansas Grantham might earn a solid $87,606 but carry nearly $28,000 in debt. That difference in financial burden—a 21x ratio versus a 3x ratio—is the single biggest factor determining your ability to build wealth in your 20s.
Programs Ranked
100
Avg Earnings
$87,937/yr
Avg DW Score
76/100
#1 Program
Nursing
Sonoma State University
Top Institutions
Leading the field for Cheap + High-Earning
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
The Ranking Matrix
Cheapest Degrees That Pay Well
Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.
Sort by
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | Tuition (4yr) | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nursing
Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA
|
91
88–91
|
$125,646/yr | High | 39.1x | $32,760 |
| 2 |
Nursing
California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA
|
91
88–92
|
$124,392/yr | High | 56.0x | $28,220 |
| 3 |
Nursing
California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA
|
91
88–91
|
$119,356/yr | High | 38.2x | $31,304 |
| 4 |
Nursing
San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA
|
91
88–91
|
$117,532/yr | High | 47.6x | $29,696 |
| 5 |
Nursing
California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA
|
91
88–91
|
$117,088/yr | High | 43.4x | $29,748 |
| 6 |
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Weatherford, OK
|
78
75–78
|
$115,284/yr | High | 33.7x | $33,180 |
| 7 |
Clinical Laboratory Science
CUNY York College · Jamaica, NY
|
65
64–65
|
$105,425/yr | Moderate | 34.8x | $29,432 |
| 8 |
Allied Health Professions
California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA
|
83
81–83
|
$100,724/yr | Moderate | 36.4x | $28,380 |
| 9 |
Business Administration
Bismarck State College · Bismarck, ND
|
89
85–90
|
$100,668/yr | High | 61.8x | $20,780 |
| 10 |
Construction Management
California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA
|
75
71–76
|
$99,649/yr | High | 34.3x | $28,220 |
| 11 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology
California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA
|
66
64–66
|
$98,661/yr | Moderate | 31.1x | $30,688 |
| 12 |
Clinical Laboratory Science
Farmingdale State College · Farmingdale, NY
|
76
74–75
|
$95,766/yr | Moderate | 26.5x | $34,304 |
| 13 |
Software Development
Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT
|
76
70–77
|
$95,292/yr | Very High | 27.7x | $33,200 |
| 14 |
Computer Science
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
90
83–91
|
$94,786/yr | Very High | 36.4x | $39,968 |
| 15 |
Sales & Marketing
Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT
|
86
84–87
|
$93,151/yr | High | 29.3x | $33,200 |
| 16 |
Allied Health Professions
CUNY New York City College of Technology · Brooklyn, NY
|
70
68–70
|
$92,818/yr | Moderate | 30.6x | $29,328 |
| 17 |
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY
|
76
73–76
|
$92,559/yr | High | 33.7x | $34,160 |
| 18 |
IT Management
Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT
|
77
71–79
|
$92,416/yr | Very High | 26.8x | $33,200 |
| 19 |
Mechanical Engineering
California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA
|
79
75–80
|
$92,315/yr | Very High | 36.4x | $30,688 |
| 20 |
Industrial Engineering
SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY
|
78
75–78
|
$91,470/yr | High | 35.1x | $34,160 |
| 21 |
Construction Engineering
California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA
|
80
77–81
|
$90,836/yr | High | 41.0x | $30,408 |
| 22 |
Information Sciences
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
91
84–92
|
$90,651/yr | Very High | 49.2x | $25,524 |
| 23 |
Information Sciences
University of Florida-Online · Gainesville, FL
|
91
84–92
|
$90,651/yr | Very High | 81.6x | $15,504 |
| 24 |
Computer Science
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
90
83–91
|
$90,625/yr | Very High | 47.1x | $25,984 |
| 25 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
90
83–91
|
$90,293/yr | Very High | 33.8x | $35,956 |
| 26 |
Computer Science
University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT
|
90
82–91
|
$90,282/yr | Very High | 30.2x | $37,260 |
| 27 |
Computer Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
86
80–88
|
$89,965/yr | Very High | 28.5x | $39,968 |
| 28 |
Computer Engineering
University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT
|
74
67–75
|
$89,605/yr | Very High | 23.0x | $37,260 |
| 29 |
Information Sciences
University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Albuquerque, NM
|
91
84–92
|
$89,498/yr | Very High | 34.8x | $32,460 |
| 30 |
Construction Management
California State University-Chico · Chico, CA
|
86
83–87
|
$89,075/yr | High | 35.2x | $32,256 |
| 31 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA
|
74
71–76
|
$89,003/yr | Very High | 40.4x | $28,032 |
| 32 |
Computer Engineering
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
87
81–89
|
$88,785/yr | Very High | 55.5x | $25,984 |
| 33 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
California State University-Chico · Chico, CA
|
62
58–63
|
$88,648/yr | Very High | 26.5x | $32,256 |
| 34 |
Computer Science
West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX
|
89
82–91
|
$88,391/yr | Very High | 29.5x | $36,404 |
| 35 |
Air Transportation
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · Portales, NM
|
61
59–62
|
$88,085/yr | Moderate | 31.1x | $27,452 |
| 36 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA
|
74
71–75
|
$87,960/yr | Very High | 36.4x | $29,756 |
| 37 |
Computer Engineering
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
87
80–88
|
$87,949/yr | Very High | 44.0x | $25,524 |
| 38 |
Electrical Engineering Technology
University of Arkansas Grantham · LIttle Rock, AR
|
59
57–60
|
$87,606/yr | High | 25.5x | $33,120 |
| 39 |
Marine Transportation
California State University Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA
|
70
70–70
|
$87,464/yr | Low | 37.1x | $30,688 |
| 40 |
Chemical Engineering
Lamar University · Beaumont, TX
|
77
74–78
|
$87,284/yr | High | 30.8x | $34,760 |
| 41 |
Marine Transportation
Northwestern Michigan College · Traverse City, MI
|
71
71–70
|
$87,281/yr | Low | 61.2x | $21,400 |
| 42 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
77
74–78
|
$87,164/yr | High | 40.0x | $25,524 |
| 43 |
Fire Protection
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
64
60–64
|
$86,740/yr | Moderate | 33.0x | $25,524 |
| 44 |
Fire Protection
University of Florida-Online · Gainesville, FL
|
65
60–65
|
$86,740/yr | Moderate | 54.9x | $15,504 |
| 45 |
IT Management
University of Arkansas Grantham · LIttle Rock, AR
|
76
70–78
|
$86,607/yr | Very High | 25.1x | $33,120 |
| 46 |
Clinical Laboratory Science
College of Staten Island CUNY · Staten Island, NY
|
75
74–74
|
$86,226/yr | Moderate | 30.2x | $29,960 |
| 47 |
Clinical Laboratory Science
CUNY Hunter College · New York, NY
|
75
74–75
|
$86,173/yr | Moderate | 31.5x | $29,528 |
| 48 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Houston · Houston, TX
|
77
73–78
|
$86,136/yr | Very High | 26.6x | $38,844 |
| 49 |
Mining & Mineral Engineering
West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV
|
73
70–74
|
$85,897/yr | High | 22.9x | $38,592 |
| 50 |
Systems Engineering
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
77
73–78
|
$85,698/yr | Very High | 41.3x | $25,524 |
| 51 |
Science, Technology and Society
Troy University · Troy, AL
|
58
58–58
|
$85,672/yr | Moderate | 20.9x | $39,168 |
| 52 |
Business Administration
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
87
83–87
|
$85,618/yr | High | 33.9x | $35,956 |
| 53 |
Computer Engineering
Utah Valley University · Orem, UT
|
86
80–88
|
$85,564/yr | Very High | 39.1x | $25,080 |
| 54 |
Industrial Production Technology
Brigham Young University-Idaho · Rexburg, ID
|
63
62–63
|
$85,411/yr | Moderate | 44.9x | $18,624 |
| 55 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
77
73–79
|
$85,243/yr | Very High | 39.8x | $25,524 |
| 56 |
Industrial Production Technology
Lamar University · Beaumont, TX
|
71
70–71
|
$84,746/yr | Moderate | 21.8x | $34,760 |
| 57 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Houston · Houston, TX
|
76
73–77
|
$84,468/yr | High | 24.5x | $38,844 |
| 58 |
Electrical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
76
72–77
|
$84,300/yr | Very High | 23.0x | $39,968 |
| 59 |
Information Sciences
Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT
|
90
83–91
|
$84,242/yr | Very High | 30.3x | $33,200 |
| 60 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI
|
64
61–65
|
$84,047/yr | High | 22.8x | $35,336 |
| 61 |
Allied Health Professions
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
69
68–69
|
$83,927/yr | Moderate | 35.1x | $23,232 |
| 62 |
Finance
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
90
87–92
|
$83,876/yr | Very High | 44.7x | $25,984 |
| 63 |
IT Management
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
76
70–78
|
$83,533/yr | Very High | 31.1x | $25,984 |
| 64 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY
|
65
61–66
|
$83,493/yr | Very High | 29.1x | $27,752 |
| 65 |
Software Development
University of Phoenix-Arizona · Phoenix, AZ
|
80
73–81
|
$83,476/yr | Very High | 16.3x | $38,208 |
| 66 |
Manufacturing Engineering
Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA
|
66
63–67
|
$83,438/yr | High | 34.3x | $23,620 |
| 67 |
Industrial Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
76
73–76
|
$83,427/yr | High | 33.1x | $26,992 |
| 68 |
Electrical Engineering
Lamar University · Beaumont, TX
|
76
72–78
|
$83,155/yr | Very High | 27.2x | $34,760 |
| 69 |
Construction Management
Weber State University · Ogden, UT
|
74
70–75
|
$82,914/yr | High | 31.4x | $25,564 |
| 70 |
Fire Protection
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
75
70–75
|
$82,718/yr | Moderate | 36.8x | $23,232 |
| 71 |
Data Processing
Bellevue College · Bellevue, WA
|
65
60–66
|
$81,892/yr | High | 46.6x | $17,220 |
| 72 |
Construction Management
Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA
|
85
82–86
|
$81,666/yr | High | 27.2x | $36,768 |
| 73 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
San Diego State University · San Diego, CA
|
60
57–61
|
$81,608/yr | Very High | 23.6x | $33,160 |
| 74 |
Chemical Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
76
73–77
|
$81,492/yr | High | 28.1x | $35,580 |
| 75 |
Industrial Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
75
73–76
|
$81,379/yr | High | 24.1x | $39,968 |
| 76 |
Management Science
Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA
|
78
73–78
|
$81,377/yr | Very High | 21.1x | $36,768 |
| 77 |
Dental Services
Foothill College · Los Altos Hills, CA
|
64
63–64
|
$81,255/yr | Moderate | 128.8x | $6,260 |
| 78 |
Clinical Laboratory Science
University of Alaska Anchorage · Anchorage, AK
|
63
62–62
|
$81,203/yr | Moderate | 25.8x | $30,264 |
| 79 |
Industrial Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
75
73–76
|
$81,055/yr | High | 26.1x | $35,580 |
| 80 |
Information Sciences
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
90
83–91
|
$80,934/yr | Very High | 46.6x | $25,984 |
| 81 |
Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering
Utah Valley University · Orem, UT
|
63
60–64
|
$80,491/yr | High | 31.1x | $25,080 |
| 82 |
Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
76
73–78
|
$80,374/yr | Very High | 23.4x | $39,968 |
| 83 |
Civil Engineering
Montana Technological University · Butte, MT
|
66
63–67
|
$80,327/yr | High | 23.9x | $32,200 |
| 84 |
Electromechanical Technology
Murray State University · Murray, KY
|
57
56–58
|
$79,974/yr | Moderate | 19.6x | $38,832 |
| 85 |
Information Science
Utah Valley University · Orem, UT
|
86
80–87
|
$79,918/yr | Very High | 39.5x | $25,080 |
| 86 |
Marine Transportation
SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY
|
68
69–68
|
$79,797/yr | Low | 28.7x | $34,160 |
| 87 |
Management Science
Brigham Young University · Provo, UT
|
78
74–79
|
$79,777/yr | Very High | 29.7x | $25,984 |
| 88 |
IT Management
University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE
|
75
69–77
|
$79,671/yr | Very High | 22.8x | $33,480 |
| 89 |
Manufacturing Engineering
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA
|
76
74–77
|
$79,549/yr | High | 30.4x | $29,756 |
| 90 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Alaska Fairbanks · Fairbanks, AK
|
76
73–78
|
$79,438/yr | Very High | 26.4x | $34,560 |
| 91 |
Construction Engineering Technologies
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
73
70–74
|
$79,410/yr | Very High | 43.2x | $25,524 |
| 92 |
Materials Engineering
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
|
73
71–74
|
$79,200/yr | High | 32.7x | $25,524 |
| 93 |
Quality Control & Safety Technology
Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
|
75
73–75
|
$78,532/yr | High | 38.5x | $23,232 |
| 94 |
Engineering-Related Technologies
California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA
|
58
57–58
|
$78,518/yr | Moderate | 27.1x | $27,920 |
| 95 |
Aerospace Engineering
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA
|
77
74–77
|
$78,320/yr | High | 31.6x | $29,756 |
| 96 |
Materials Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
61
58–62
|
$78,265/yr | High | 18.6x | $39,968 |
| 97 |
Engineering Studies
SUNY Polytechnic Institute · Utica, NY
|
61
59–62
|
$78,264/yr | High | 21.8x | $34,312 |
| 98 |
Industrial Production Technology
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
60
59–60
|
$78,215/yr | Moderate | 18.6x | $39,968 |
| 99 |
Allied Health Professions
Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA
|
78
77–77
|
$78,175/yr | Moderate | 23.5x | $33,912 |
| 100 |
Mechanical Engineering
West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX
|
75
72–77
|
$78,028/yr | Very High | 23.6x | $36,404 |