Home Schools CSU Fullerton Nursing
Health Professions · Nursing Rank #6 of 990

Nursingat California State University-Fullerton

Graduates earn $103,028/yr in their first year — about 37.0% above the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,089K; scenarios range from $917K to $1,094K depending on AI disruption.

Fullerton, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
91 ELITE
91
Optimistic
88
Pessimistic
Earnings
$103,028
1-year post-graduation
ROI
40.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,089K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Fullerton

CSU Fullerton's nursing program consistently delivers exceptional outcomes, a testament to its strong regional ties and the robust demand for skilled healthcare professionals in Southern California. You'll benefit from clinical placements in top-tier Orange County medical centers and specialized facilities, where hands-on experience is paramount. The program's reputation ensures strong recruitment pipelines with major hospital systems throughout the greater Los Angeles area, eager to hire well-prepared graduates. This dynamic labor market, coupled with the opportunity to pursue advanced specializations like nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist roles, drives significant career growth. While technology continues to evolve healthcare, the critical thinking and direct patient care skills you develop here remain indispensable. To maximize your potential, actively seek out diverse clinical experiences and networking opportunities throughout your studies, as these connections are invaluable in securing advanced roles.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$917K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score88/100
Earnings Multiple32.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,089K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score91/100
Earnings Multiple38.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,094K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score91/100
Earnings Multiple38.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Fullerton's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Nursing graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Nurse anesthetists
+8.6% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$223,210/yr
Low
2
Nurse practitioners
+40.1% 10-yr growth · 29,500 openings/yr
$129,210/yr
Moderate
3
Nurse midwives
+11.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$128,790/yr
Moderate
4
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
5
Registered nurses
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 189,100 openings/yr
$93,600/yr
Moderate
6
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
+16.8% 10-yr growth · 8,600 openings/yr
$79,940/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Nursing

How CSU Fullerton stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sonoma State University
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$126K
1-yr earn
39.1x
ROI
Same state (CA)
California State University-East Bay
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$124K
1-yr earn
56.0x
ROI
Samuel Merritt University
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
California State University-Stanislaus
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
38.2x
ROI
Pacific Union College
CA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Also at CSU Fullerton

Other top programs at CSU Fullerton

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Fullerton, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Nursing at CSU Fullerton

How does California State University-Fullerton's Nursing program score?

A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Fullerton's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Nursing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does California State University-Fullerton rank so high for Nursing?

The #6 ranking out of 990 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.