Nursing at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, 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 $117,532/yr (56% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 45.8x earnings multiple (17.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 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 $1,366K $1,359K $1,116K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 46.0x 45.8x 37.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 17.7x 17.6x 14.5x
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)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (17.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,233
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$144,430
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $117,532 per year, Nursing graduates from San Francisco State University significantly outpace the $75,273 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 45.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $15,233 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #13 ranking out of 990 programs puts San Francisco State University in the top 1% for Nursing. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $117,532 to $144,430 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State University →

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 San Francisco State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Francisco State University's Nursing program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. San Francisco State University'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 San Francisco State University rank so high for Nursing?
The #13 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →