Nursing Degree in Los Angeles, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Los Angeles, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$96K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$116K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Los Angeles
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Los Angeles, CA Overview
Los Angeles is one of California's top college towns, with 69 institutions and a student population of 322,771. Public tuition averages $13,804/year here — near the national average for public universities. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Los Angeles is approximately $95,880.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
69
Public Tuition
$13,804/yr
Private Tuition
$59,151/yr
Room & Board
$17,998/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,255/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Nursing Salary in Los Angeles (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Los Angeles's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Los Angeles adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Los Angeles
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Los Angeles tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,804 | Private avg: $59,151
Los Angeles avg aid: $8,255/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,530
vs HS diploma in Los Angeles
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Los Angeles
$859,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($987,000) minus total education cost ($127,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Los Angeles
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Los Angeles for Nursing
UCLA
public
$13,804/yr
$55,216 total
USC
private
$63,468/yr
$253,872 total
Loyola Marymount University
private
$54,834/yr
$219,336 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Los Angeles City College
$1,540/yr
Santa Monica College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Los Angeles
Los Angeles offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Los Angeles Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby California Cities
San Diego, CA
$95K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$88K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$78K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$80K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$76K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$79K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$90K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$91K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Los Angeles
Pharmacy
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$71K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$71K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$71K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Los Angeles, CA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for California.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Los Angeles using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Los Angeles Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), California students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — California programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "california higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing Degree in Los Angeles — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Los Angeles.