Nursing at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
91 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
91
Optimistic
91
Base Case
88
Pessimistic
Earnings $98,811/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 41.9x earnings multiple (15.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,147K $1,142K $955K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 42.1x 41.9x 35.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 15.3x 15.3x 12.8x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 91 91 88

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,252
Out-of-state: $74,792 (15.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$16,452
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$120,317
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $98,811 per year, Nursing graduates from California State University-Los Angeles significantly outpace the $75,273 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 41.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's typical career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #9 of 990 Nursing programs nationally, California State University-Los Angeles sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $98,811 to $120,317 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Los Angeles

With 92% of applicants admitted, California State University-Los Angeles prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 21,478 students in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →

Top Career Paths

Nurse anesthetists $223,210/yr
Nurse practitioners $129,210/yr
Nurse midwives $128,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at California State University-Los Angeles?
This program scores 91/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $955,198 in decade earnings vs $1,146,626 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Los Angeles's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 990 programs nationally, California State University-Los Angeles lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →