By Nate Galvan | galvanna@sonoma.edu
Multiple academic rankings from the past year show Sonoma State University’s Department of Nursing is among the top registered nursing programs in the state and features the best return on investment in the nation.
According to rankings from GradReports, Sonoma State ranked No. 1 in the country for the highest median salary for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, with a median salary of $110,300 for students one year after graduation. Graduates of SSU’s Nursing Program also have the second-lowest median debt for students of the top 25 schools. The GradReports ranking looked at data from the U.S. Department of Education, specifically at alumni data published in November 2019 for graduates one year out of college.
"We are honored to be recognized for being one of the best nursing schools in the state and country,” said Nursing Department Chair Anna Valdez. “Our faculty and staff are committed to providing an excellent education that prepares competent, safe, and culturally informed nurse graduates."
Additionally, graduates of the SSU’s Nursing Program leave SSU well-trained and prepared for nursing careers. RN Careers has ranked SSU as No. 3 on its “Best 100 Nursing Schools in California” list. The program also was ranked in the top 50 in RN Careers’ nationwide list. Rankings were compiled by evaluating more than 100 ADN and BSN degree programs across the country. They took into account each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates (the test students need to pass to become a registered nurse), the number of students taking the test, nursing accreditation, and more.
For over 40 years, the SSU Department of Nursing has been educating nurses to serve the county, state, and beyond. To date, more than 4,000 nurse practitioners, educators, and leaders have received their nursing training from SSU. There are curriculums for students of all circumstances, from those pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Nursing with no experience to those who have already received their associate’s degree to those pursuing their master’s degree.
For more information about the SSU Department of Nursing, visit http://nursing.sonoma.edu.