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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

Cheapest Degrees That Pay Well

Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.

#	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	Computer Science University of Florida · Gainesville, FL	91 84–92	$90,651/yr	Very High	49.2x	$25,524
23	Computer Science 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	Computer Science 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	Computer Science 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	Computer Science 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

Scores calculated using College Scorecard, BLS, and AI task-exposure data. See full methodology →

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