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Nursing at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $103,799/yr (38% vs median)

AI Risk High (39% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

ROI 31.7x earnings multiple (12.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #26 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 5%

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	$986K	$982K	$838K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	31.8x	31.7x	27.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.6x	12.5x	10.7x
Probability of Field Employment	87%	86%	64%
DegreeOutlook Score	91	91	87

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,956

Out-of-state: $78,476 (12.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,200

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,246

2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$105,792

2% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-San Marcos Nursing graduates command $103,799/yr out of the gate, well above the $75,273 national median. That 38% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 31.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,246 in median debt clears quickly against $103,799 in annual earnings.

California State University-San Marcos ranks #26 among 990 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $103,799 to $105,792 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About California State University-San Marcos

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-San Marcos is accessible to most applicants, serving 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

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-San Marcos

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 91/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at California State University-San Marcos?

At 91/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at California State University-San Marcos?

The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-San Marcos one of the best schools for Nursing?

Among 990 Nursing programs, California State University-San Marcos's #26 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →