Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at American Career College-Los Angeles

American Career College-Los Angeles stands out nationally in practical nursing, with graduates earning $60,281 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile among all nursing programs nationwide and significantly above the national median of $44,134. However, within California's competitive nursing market, this program lands in the 60th percentile, trailing top performers like Unitek College by about $6,000 annually.

The debt picture looks reasonable with graduates owing a median of $17,317, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. This debt level sits below the 33rd percentile nationally, meaning most similar programs saddle students with more debt. The concern lies in the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income drop 15% by year four, falling to $51,254—a pattern that suggests either challenging working conditions or limited advancement opportunities in the field.

For families considering this investment, the program delivers strong initial earning power that easily covers the debt load, but the declining income trend deserves attention. At nearly $18,000 in debt for a certificate program, you're paying premium prices for what becomes middle-tier performance within California. The program works financially, but other California schools offer better long-term earning potential for similar or even lower debt burdens.