Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Chabot College
Associate's Degree
chabotcollege.eduAnalysis
California's nursing market transforms an associate's degree into a near-$100,000 starting salary—dramatically higher than the national median of $68,000 for the same credential. While Chabot's first-year earnings are estimated from comparable California programs, the reported four-year figure of $113,365 confirms this trajectory is real, placing graduates firmly in six-figure earning territory early in their careers.
The debt picture looks manageable at $14,122, though it sits higher than ideal relative to national nursing programs. That ratio of 0.14 means roughly six weeks of gross pay to cover the total debt—a reasonable trade-off when similar California nursing programs consistently produce earnings in the $97,000-$120,000 range. The state's robust healthcare system and higher cost of living create wages that dwarf what nurses earn elsewhere.
For anxious parents, this comes down to California's nursing premium. Even with estimated first-year earnings, the reported four-year data and strong performance of peer programs in the state suggest this investment should pay off quickly. The real question is whether your child can handle the academic rigor of nursing school, not whether the degree will generate income.
Where Chabot College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chabot College | — | $113,365 | — |
| Contra Costa College | $101,064 | $133,295 | +32% |
| Sacramento City College | $100,622 | $123,056 | +22% |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | $100,800 | $122,896 | +22% |
| Unitek College | $120,006 | $119,891 | -0% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in California (109 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chabot CollegeHayward | $1,150 | $97,457* | $113,365 | $14,122 | — |
 Unitek CollegeFremont | — | $120,006* | $119,891 | $27,113 | 0.23 |
 Yuba CollegeMarysville | $1,128 | $117,283* | $118,060 | $8,729 | 0.07 |
 Mendocino CollegeUkiah | $1,423 | $113,261* | — | — | — |
 Pacific Union CollegeAngwin | $35,214 | $110,696* | $99,360 | $27,000 | 0.24 |
 Merced CollegeMerced | $1,194 | $107,024* | $92,668 | $12,750 | 0.12 |
| National Median | — | $68,409* | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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 Chabot College, approximately 18% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 57 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.