Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Columbia College

Columbia College's nursing program posts impressive numbers—$103,727 in first-year earnings with just $13,293 in debt—but the small graduating class means these figures could shift dramatically year to year. While earnings sit in the 95th percentile nationally, that's partly because California's nursing market pays significantly more than most states. Within California, this program lands at the 60th percentile, performing solidly but trailing higher-earning options like Unitek College ($120,006) and several community colleges in the Central Valley.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13 is excellent, and graduates carry roughly half the national median debt for nursing programs. However, the flat earnings trajectory from year one to year four suggests limited advancement opportunities in the rural Sonora market—a pattern worth considering if your child plans to stay local versus relocating to higher-paying metro areas after gaining experience.

For families in the Mother Lode region, this represents a low-risk path into nursing with strong immediate returns. Just recognize that the small sample size means next year's cohort could look quite different, and career growth may require geographic mobility.