Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of the Siskiyous

The $92,905 first-year earnings looks impressive nationally—putting this program in the 95th percentile—but the California context tells a more sobering story. Among the state's 109 nursing programs, College of the Siskiyous lands at just the 40th percentile, trailing the state median of $97,457 and well behind top programs like Unitek College ($120,006) or even nearby community colleges like Yuba ($117,283). More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their median income drop 23% to $71,823 by year four, a pattern that raises questions about employment stability or local market dynamics in this rural area.

That said, the debt load remains reasonable at $15,625—matching the California median and creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17. For students who can secure those strong initial nursing positions, this represents a solid financial start even if long-term earning potential may be limited by the region's smaller healthcare market.

The critical caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically fragile. A few exceptional earners could skew the numbers significantly. For families considering this program, the value proposition likely depends heavily on whether graduates plan to stay in Siskiyou County or relocate to higher-paying California markets after gaining experience. If mobility is part of the plan, starting here with minimal debt could make sense; if not, the earnings ceiling warrants serious consideration.