Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of San Mateo

A 0.13 debt-to-earnings ratio makes this nursing program look remarkably affordable on paper, but there's an important caveat: that first-year earnings figure of $97,457 comes from statewide data across 57 California nursing programs, not from College of San Mateo's actual graduates. What we do know for certain is that graduates carry $12,831 in debt—well below both the state median of $15,625 and the national median of $20,751. By year four, reported earnings jump to $120,513, putting graduates near the top of the state's performance range and well ahead of the national median of $68,409.

California's nursing market is notoriously strong, which likely explains why similar associate degree programs across the state consistently produce six-figure earners within a few years. The debt burden here is manageable enough that even if College of San Mateo's outcomes fall somewhat below the state average, the numbers would still work in graduates' favor. For context, top programs like Unitek College and Yuba College show first-year earnings around $117,000-$120,000, suggesting the $97,457 estimate may actually be conservative for successful programs.

The combination of low debt and California's nursing wages creates a favorable scenario. While you can't know this specific program's exact graduate outcomes, the fundamentals—modest borrowing for entry into one of the state's strongest healthcare markets—point toward solid financial returns. Just verify the program's NCLEX pass rates and clinical placement quality before committing.