Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Carrington College-Sacramento

Carrington College-Sacramento charges $32,832 in median debt—roughly 60% more than what California nursing students typically pay—but graduates start at $65,035, placing them in the 94th percentile nationally. This is one of the few for-profit programs where the premium tuition might actually deliver premium results, though the California context tells a more nuanced story.

Among California's 56 nursing assistant programs, these earnings land at the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional for the state. You're essentially paying private school prices for outcomes that match what places like Butte College deliver at community college rates. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary, which is manageable in healthcare but still higher than necessary. Strong earnings growth to $81,578 by year four suggests graduates develop valuable skills, though that trajectory isn't unique to this program.

The math works for students who need the program's flexibility or can't access community college alternatives, especially with 56% receiving Pell grants suggesting the school serves students who may have limited options. But families should exhaust California community college options first—several deliver comparable outcomes at half the cost. If those aren't accessible, this program won't sink your graduate, but they'll spend their first few years paying for convenience rather than building wealth.