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Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 91/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?

Among 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →