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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in California

32 Ranked Colleges
2,734 Degrees Awarded
$21,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 32 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 78 masters’s nursing degrees 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 Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Cal State LA

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 21 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Nursing at California State University - Stanislaus

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, 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 CSUDH are $17,884.

Read more about Nursing at CSUDH

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 149 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 68 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took 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.

Full California State University - Fullerton Nursing Report

California State University - Fresno ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #24 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 California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Full California State University - Fresno Nursing Report

University of California - Irvine came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at University of California - Irvine

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 117 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at CSULB

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

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

Full California State University - Bakersfield Nursing Report

#10

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 12 students 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

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 108 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at USC

University of California - Davis landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Davis Nursing Report

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read more about Nursing at San Diego State University

California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 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.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Sacramento

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

With a ranking of #15, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 29 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #17 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 San Jose State are $18,790.

Read full report on Nursing at San Jose State University

California State University - San Marcos ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

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 $30-$48k ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at SFSU

California State University - East Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #0 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 Cal State East Bay are $17,828.

Full Cal State East Bay Nursing Report

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 4 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State 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 Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at California State University - Chico

#20

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about Nursing at Sonoma State University

#21

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California

University of Phoenix - California ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Phoenix - California is a small private for-profit school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 51 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - California are $16,752, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Phoenix - California Nursing Report

Vanguard University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Costa Mesa, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanguard University of Southern California are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanguard University of Southern California Nursing Report

#23

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California

With a ranking of #23, Fresno Pacific University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno Pacific is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 30 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno Pacific also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno Pacific University are $15,000, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Fresno Pacific

#24

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

University of San Diego landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 92 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

USD also took the #8 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 USD are $28,410.

Read more about Nursing at University of San Diego

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 155 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CDU also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at CDU are $27,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at CDU

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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.

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