2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in California

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing students.

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

$7,454 In-State Tuition & Fees

$18,750 Avg Student Debt

$57,162 Median Earnings (10yr)

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools in California. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

$14,233 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,800 Avg Student Debt

$82,511 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $20,800. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

Career Networks Institute
Santa Ana, CA

$33,486 Avg Student Debt

$45,256 Median Earnings (10yr)

Career Networks Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Career Networks Institute is a small private for-profit university. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,486 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $93,384. That is a strong return on a $33,486 median debt.

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in California