Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at College of the Siskiyous

In California's competitive nursing market, this program's estimated outcomes fall right at the state median—$56,700 in first-year earnings based on comparable LVN/LPN programs across the state. That's a solid starting point for an associate-level nursing credential, though several California programs report considerably higher earnings, with top performers pushing above $65,000.

The estimated debt of $18,241 (derived from similar-sized programs nationally) sits comfortably below both state and national medians for this credential. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, graduates would likely manage monthly loan payments on an entry-level nursing salary without undue strain. For context, LVN programs at peer California community colleges typically produce debt loads in the $18,000-$20,000 range, so this estimate appears reasonable for the market.

The challenge is uncertainty: College of the Siskiyous' actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes, making it difficult to know whether this rural Northern California location affects job placement or starting wages compared to programs near larger metro areas where demand—and pay—tends to run higher. If your child is committed to staying in the Siskiyous region, local employer relationships matter more than statewide averages. If they're willing to relocate after graduation, these estimated earnings suggest a manageable financial foundation for launching a nursing career.