Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

33 Ranked Colleges
2,734 Degrees Awarded
$20,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

With 313,362 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 18,266 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $87,508 and $30,286 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,734 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 33 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State LA Nursing Report

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stan State Nursing Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 61 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Nursing Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at California State University - Fullerton

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 149 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of California - Irvine

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 23 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Fresno State

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 117 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Long Beach Nursing Report

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 19 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUB Nursing Report

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Full San Diego State University Nursing Report

University of California - Davis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 32 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at UC Davis

#12

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #12, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 12 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at California State University - San Bernardino

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 108 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USC Nursing Report

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 61 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Full Sac State Nursing Report

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 29 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at San Jose State

California State University - San Marcos landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - San Marcos Nursing Report

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 39 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Read full report on Nursing at San Francisco State University

California State University - East Bay came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - East Bay Nursing Report

California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read more about Nursing at Chico State

#20

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Sonoma State University

#21

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California

University of Phoenix - California landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Costa Mesa, California, and it awarded 51 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Phoenix - California are $16,752.

Read more about Nursing at UOPX - California

Vanguard University of Southern California landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanguard is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 25 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard are $16,180.

Full Vanguard University of Southern California Nursing Report

#23

Holy Names University

Oakland, California

Holy Names University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. HNU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakland, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at HNU are $18,590, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Holy Names University

#24

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Fresno Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 30 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno Pacific are $15,000.

Read more about Nursing at Fresno Pacific University

#25

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

University of San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 92 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also took the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $28,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of San Diego

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You