Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Carrington College-San Jose

Carrington College-San Jose's practical nursing program produces graduates earning $60,778 in their first year—38% above the national median and solidly ahead of California's typical outcome of $53,040. Among 122 California nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning graduates here outperform the majority of state competitors while paying comparable tuition (debt sits right at the California median of $17,421). The 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, representing roughly 3.5 months of salary.

The challenge here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 6% decline from year one to year four, dropping to $56,809. This pattern is unusual for healthcare roles and worth understanding—it could reflect scheduling changes (moving from higher-paid hospital shifts to clinic work), career transitions, or data quirks. However, even with this dip, year-four earnings remain 29% above the national median for the field, suggesting graduates maintain strong earning power.

For families considering this program, the fundamentals are sound. Your child would enter a competitive earnings tier immediately after graduation, with manageable debt that won't constrain their early career choices. The Bay Area's high cost of living means these wages will stretch differently than elsewhere, but the program's performance relative to California peers suggests it prepares graduates well for the regional market. Just be aware that initial earnings may represent the peak rather than a starting point.