Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Citrus College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
citruscollege.eduAnalysis
Similar nursing programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $53,000 against an estimated debt load of $9,500—a notably manageable ratio compared to what many vocational nursing programs carry. While we're working with state-level estimates here rather than Citrus College's specific outcomes, that debt figure is considerably lower than California's typical $17,421 for these programs, and the earnings align with what successful programs in the state deliver.
The practical math looks solid: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18, graduates from comparable programs typically need less than three months of gross pay to cover their educational investment. That's particularly important for a field where professionals need to start earning immediately. The estimated $53,000 also exceeds the national median for practical nursing programs by nearly $9,000, reflecting California's stronger wage floor for healthcare workers.
What matters here is the competitive positioning. Top-performing programs in California—Unitek and Medical Allied Career Center—show earnings reaching $65,000-66,000, suggesting room exists above the state median. But even at the estimated figure, the low debt burden creates meaningful financial flexibility for new graduates. For families evaluating vocational nursing paths in California, a program with this debt profile deserves serious consideration, though confirming Citrus College's actual graduate outcomes and clinical placement partnerships would strengthen your decision.
Where Citrus College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (122 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Citrus CollegeGlendora | $1,204 | $53,040* | — | $9,500* | — |
 Unitek CollegeHayward | — | $66,221* | $65,202 | $17,305* | 0.26 |
| Unitek CollegeSouth San Francisco | — | $66,221* | $65,202 | $17,305* | 0.26 |
 Medical Allied Career CenterSanta Fe Springs | — | $65,387* | $59,834 | $17,130* | 0.26 |
 Hartnell CollegeSalinas | $1,404 | $63,321* | — | —* | — |
 North-West College-Van NuysVan Nuys | — | $62,356* | $46,007 | $18,845* | 0.30 |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
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 Citrus College, approximately 29% 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 50 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.