Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College graduates earn $91,000 right out of the gate—putting them in the 95th percentile nationally for nursing programs—while carrying just $15,000 in debt. That's nearly $9,000 less than the typical California nursing graduate owes, creating one of the most favorable debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find in healthcare education at 0.16. The real standout here is the growth trajectory: earnings climb to $102,629 by year four, strong gains that push graduates closer to the state's top earners.

Here's the wrinkle: within California's competitive nursing landscape, this program sits at the 40th percentile. That's not a red flag—it simply reflects how unusually well California nursing programs pay overall. Even California's median of $96,000 crushes most states' top programs. Cabrillo delivers solidly above-average outcomes in a state where nursing education is exceptionally strong.

For families worried about student debt, this is a clear win. Your child graduates with manageable loans, immediate access to six-figure earning potential within a few years, and enters one of healthcare's most stable career paths. The combination of low debt and strong starting wages means financial stability from day one—exactly what nursing education should deliver.