Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Career Networks Institute

California nursing programs typically launch graduates into six-figure earnings, with the state median at $95,982. Career Networks Institute's program appears to fall short of that mark—estimated first-year earnings of $66,398 track closer to the national median than to California standards. That $30,000 gap matters significantly in a state where cost of living demands higher wages, and it raises questions about whether graduates are accessing the same opportunities as peers from programs like Glendale Career College or Cabrillo College.

The estimated debt load of $25,881 sits slightly above both state and national benchmarks, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 would be manageable if those earnings held up. The real concern is whether Career Networks prepares students for California's competitive nursing market or leaves them earning entry-level wages that reflect national rather than local standards. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting many families are counting on this credential to deliver California-level economic mobility.

Before committing, determine whether this program's graduates actually secure positions at California wages or whether they face barriers that push them toward lower-paying opportunities. The difference between $66,000 and $96,000 annually compounds dramatically over a career—you need confidence that your child will land on the higher end of that range.