Nursing at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, 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 $100,178/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 38.2x earnings multiple (14.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 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 $1,074K $1,069K $902K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 38.3x 38.2x 32.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.2x 14.2x 11.9x
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)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (14.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,743
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$113,863
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of California State University-Long Beach's Nursing program earn $100,178/yr in their first year — 33% above the $75,273 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 38.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,743 in median debt against $100,178 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Among 990 Nursing programs nationally, California State University-Long Beach ranks #8 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The limited growth from $100,178 to $113,863 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About California State University-Long Beach

With a 47% acceptance rate, California State University-Long Beach is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

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 California State University-Long Beach

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 91/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at California State University-Long Beach?
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 Nursing at California State University-Long Beach?
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-Long Beach one of the best schools for Nursing?
Among 990 Nursing programs, California State University-Long Beach's #8 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 →