Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Carrington College-Sacramento

Carrington graduates launch nursing careers earning over $100,000 right out of the gate—substantially higher than both national and state medians. While this places them in the 95th percentile nationally, it's worth noting they rank in the middle of California's nursing programs (60th percentile), where several community colleges actually produce higher initial earnings at a fraction of the cost.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $35,740, graduates here carry more than double California's typical nursing debt of $15,625. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 remains manageable—these graduates earn enough in their first year to pay off their loans in about four months of work. Steady 6% earnings growth to nearly $111,000 by year four shows the program opens doors to career advancement, not just entry-level positions.

For families comparing options, this represents a premium-priced path to strong outcomes. If your student has access to more affordable California nursing programs (particularly community colleges), those may deliver similar or better results with significantly less debt. But if admission barriers or timing constraints make those alternatives unrealistic, Carrington provides a viable route to six-figure nursing careers—just expect to pay more upfront for that access.