Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Carrington College-San Jose
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Carrington College-San Jose's practical nursing program commands above-average debt but delivers earnings that justify the premium. At $65,035 in first-year earnings, graduates earn $13,000 more than the national median—placing this program in the 94th percentile nationally. The $32,832 in debt is roughly $12,500 above typical nursing assistant programs, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 means graduates earn double their debt load in the first year alone, making this manageable even with the higher sticker price.
Within California's competitive nursing landscape, this program holds its own at the 60th percentile, matching the earnings of Carrington's Sacramento campus and trailing only specialized programs like Unitek College. The 25% earnings growth to $81,578 by year four shows solid career progression, suggesting graduates successfully transition into better-paying roles or gain experience-based raises. For a program serving nearly half Pell-eligible students, these outcomes demonstrate strong economic mobility.
The higher debt warrants attention, but the numbers work: graduates can aggressively pay down loans while still earning well above what most practical nursing programs deliver. If your child can access more affordable options like Butte College (which offers similar earnings with likely lower debt as a community college), explore those first. But among California's private nursing programs, Carrington-San Jose delivers competitive value with reliable outcomes.
Where Carrington College-San Jose Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Carrington College-San Jose graduates compare to all programs nationally
Carrington College-San Jose graduates earn $65k, placing them in the 94th percentile of all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants associates's programs at peer institutions in California (56 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College-San Jose | $65,035 | $81,578 | $32,832 | 0.50 |
| Unitek College | $72,368 | $99,091 | $22,848 | 0.32 |
| Butte College | $65,467 | — | $13,382 | 0.20 |
| Carrington College-Sacramento | $65,035 | $81,578 | $32,832 | 0.50 |
| Pacific College | $59,213 | — | $16,125 | 0.27 |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | $56,700 | — | $20,594 | 0.36 |
| National Median | $51,744 | — | $19,404 | 0.38 |
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unitek College Fremont | — | $72,368 | $22,848 |
| Butte College Oroville | $1,336 | $65,467 | $13,382 |
| Carrington College-Sacramento Sacramento | — | $65,035 | $32,832 |
| Pacific College Costa Mesa | — | $59,213 | $16,125 |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts San Jose | — | $56,700 | $20,594 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Carrington College-San Jose, approximately 49% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 70 graduates with reported earnings and 195 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.