2021 Highest Paid Nursing Graduates
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
In 2018-2019, 154,540 nursing students received their bachelor's degrees, making the major the #2 most popular in the country.
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 Highest Paid Nursing list to help you make the college decision.
This year's Highest Paid Nursing Graduates ranking looked at 840 colleges that offer a bachelor's in nursing.
The numbers used in this ranking are early career salaries, which we define to be 10 years after a student started college. This is the salary typically earned 4-6 years after graduation, but may be different depending on how long a person takes to complete their degree.
Comparing Average Salaries of Nursing Majors
After graduation, nursing majors from schools in the United States earn an average salary of $62,245 per year. This means that graduates with bachelor's degrees in this field make 56% more than the average college graduate salary of $39,802.
College Combat
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
2021 Highest Paid Nursing Grads in the United States
The highest paid nursing majors graduate from the following colleges and universities.
Top 25 Best Schools for Highly Paid Nursing Graduates
Our rankings recognize Sonoma State University as the #1 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large suburb of Rohnert Park, SSU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, nursing majors make an average salary of $110,300.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from SSU carry an average student debtload of $15,011. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $130, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Sonoma State University
Request Information
Our rankings recognize California State University - East Bay as the #2 school in this year's rankings. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $109,500.
On average, nursing graduates from Cal State East Bay take out $18,849 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $174.
Full Nursing at California State University - East Bay Report
Request Information
Our rankings recognize California State University - Sacramento as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in nursing from the school is $106,600.
Nursing majors at Sac State take out an average of $17,638 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $176.
Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Sacramento
Request Information
Our rankings recognize Samuel Merritt University as the #4 school in this year's rankings. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in nursing from the school is $102,400.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at Samuel Merritt University accumulate an average of around $18,813 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $195.
Full Nursing at Samuel Merritt University Report
Request Information
Mercy College comes in at #5 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $98,600.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Mercy take out while working on their bachelor's is $23,506. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $246, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Mercy College Report
Request Information
Pacific College landed the #6 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid nursing school. Pacific College is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in nursing from the school is $98,400.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Pacific College take out while working on their bachelor's is $11,149. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $130, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Pacific College
Request Information
University of Providence landed the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid nursing school. Located in the city of Great Falls, University of Providence is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $97,000.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from University of Providence carry an average student debtload of $14,054. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $130, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at University of Providence Report
Request Information
Our rankings recognize California State University - Stanislaus as the #8 school in this year's rankings. Located in the small suburb of Turlock, Stan State is a public college with a fairly large student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor's degree in nursing from the school is $96,800.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Stan State take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,720. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $230.
Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Stanislaus
Request Information
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University comes in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate is a public school with a small student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $94,800.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at SUNY Downstate accumulate an average of around $12,581 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $130, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Request Information
San Francisco State University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. SFSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Francisco. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $94,700.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from SFSU carry an average student debtload of $17,728. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $186, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at San Francisco State University Report
Request Information
The #11 spot in this year's ranking belongs to California State University - Chico. Chico State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chico. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $93,500.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Chico State take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,449. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $194, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Chico
Request Information
Our rankings recognize St. Francis College as the #12 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Brooklyn Heights, SFC is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $93,300.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from SFC carry an average student debtload of $23,323. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $259, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at St. Francis College
Request Information
Helene Fuld College of Nursing comes in at #13 in this year's ranking. HFCN is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, nursing majors make an average salary of $92,900.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from HFCN carry an average student debtload of $25,683. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $259, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
New York University earned the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, nursing majors make an average salary of $91,800.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from NYU carry an average student debtload of $18,589. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $209.
Read full report on Nursing at New York University
Request Information
Dominican University of California landed the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid nursing school. DUofC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of San Rafael. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $91,600.
Nursing majors at DUofC take out an average of $31,119 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $322, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
The #16 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Hunter College. Located in the city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a very large student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $91,100.
Nursing majors at Hunter take out an average of $17,019 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $156, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Hunter College Report
Request Information
The #17 spot in this year's ranking belongs to LIU Post. Located in the suburb of Brookville, LIU Post is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $90,900.
On average, nursing graduates from LIU Post take out $28,852 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $262, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
Farmingdale State College landed the #18 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid nursing school. Located in the large suburb of Farmingdale, SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $90,900.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale accumulate an average of around $21,346 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $201.
Read full report on Nursing at Farmingdale State College
Request Information
Our rankings recognize Wagner College as the #19 school in this year's rankings. Wagner is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Staten Island. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $90,700.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Wagner take out while working on their bachelor's is $22,855. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $259, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
The #20 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Medgar Evers College. Located in the large city of Brooklyn, Medgar is a public college with a medium-sized student population. Nursing majors who obtain their bachelor's from the school make an average salary of $89,900.
After completing their bachelor's degree, nursing graduates from Medgar carry an average student debtload of $11,140. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $117.
Full Nursing at Medgar Evers College Report
Request Information
New York Institute of Technology comes in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in the large suburb of Old Westbury, NYIT is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $89,800.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at NYIT accumulate an average of around $30,523 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $323.
Request Information
Pacific Union College earned the #22 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the rural area of Angwin, PUC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $89,700.
On average, nursing graduates from PUC take out $32,179 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $322, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at Pacific Union College
Request Information
College of Staten Island CUNY earned the #23 spot in our 2021 rankings. CSI is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Staten Island. Students who receive their bachelor's in nursing from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $89,500.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at CSI accumulate an average of around $19,113 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $183.
Read full report on Nursing at College of Staten Island CUNY
Request Information
San Jose State University landed the #24 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid nursing school. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public college with a very large student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, nursing majors make an average salary of $89,400.
While working on their bachelor's, nursing majors at San Jose State accumulate an average of around $16,455 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $143, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at San Jose State University
Request Information
California State University - Dominguez Hills earned the #25 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of Carson, CSUDH is a public college with a large student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, nursing majors make an average salary of $89,400.
On average, nursing graduates from CSUDH take out $18,494 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $174.
Full Nursing at California State University - Dominguez Hills Report
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Schools for Highest Paid Nursing Graduates
Remaining Award Winners
This list represents the rest of the schools awarded a Highest Paid Nursing Graduates badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 840 different United States nursing schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students seeking high pay that almost earned our Highest Paid Nursing Graduates award.
Nursing by Region
View the Highest Paid Nursing Graduates for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Nursing Related Rankings by Major
Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 17,317 |
| Public Health | 16,962 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 16,503 |
| Communication Sciences | 11,326 |
| Allied Health Professions | 11,092 |
View All Nursing Related Majors >
Notes and 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.
