2022 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.
Featured schools near , edit
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
- Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
- Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k)
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Health Sciences & Services (Income $0-$30k) in California
Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services (Income $0-$30k) in California
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (Income $0-$30k) in California
Mental & Social Health Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $0-$30k) in California
Public Health
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Public Health (Income $0-$30k) in California
Medical Illustration & Informatics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Medical Illustration & Informatics (Income $0-$30k) in California
Alternative Medicine & Systems
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Alternative Medicine & Systems (Income $0-$30k) in California
Other Health Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Other Health Professions (Income $0-$30k) in California
Communication Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
Health & Medical Administrative Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Health & Medical Administrative Services (Income $0-$30k) in California
Allied Health Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Allied Health Professions (Income $0-$30k) in California
Medical Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Medical Science (Income $0-$30k) in California
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions (Income $0-$30k) in California
Bioethics/Medical Ethics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Bioethics/Medical Ethics (Income $0-$30k) in California
Movement & Mind-Body Therapies
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Movement & Mind-Body Therapies (Income $0-$30k) in California
Switch to a More Focused Major
Registered Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Nurse Anesthetist
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nurse Anesthetist (Income $0-$30k) in California
Nursing Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Science (Income $0-$30k) in California
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Nursing Practice
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice (Income $0-$30k) in California
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Nursing Administration
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Administration (Income $0-$30k) in California
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Family Practice Nurse/Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Clinical Nurse Specialist (Income $0-$30k) in California
Clinical Nurse Leader
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Clinical Nurse Leader (Income $0-$30k) in California
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in California
Nursing students in the state of California
Most Focused Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California
Nursing students in California
Most Popular Master's Degree Online Nursing Schools
Nursing students in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California
Nursing students with family income less than $30k in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $48-$75k) in California
Nursing students with family income $48-$75k in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income Over $110k) in California
Nursing students with family income exceeding $110k in California
Highest Paid Master's Degree Nursing Graduates in California
Nursing students in California
Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California
Nursing students in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California (With Aid)
Nursing students getting aid in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in California
Nursing students with family income $30-$48k in California
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $75-$110k) in California
Nursing students with family income $75-$110k in California
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
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
Featured Nursing Schools
Request Info |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |