Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Glendale Career College

Glendale Career College's nursing program delivers exceptionally strong first-year earnings at $100,874—well above the national median of $66,398 and positioning graduates in the 95th percentile nationally. However, the California context reveals a more nuanced picture: this places them in the 60th percentile statewide, reflecting California's overall premium nursing market rather than exceptional program performance. The $33,930 debt load is considerably higher than the California median of $19,800, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 remains manageable.

The "premium price" designation fits here—graduates are paying substantially more than at comparable California programs, though they're entering a strong earning environment. That $100,874 starting salary still exceeds even top-performing programs like Cabrillo College, but the question is whether it justifies an extra $14,000 in debt compared to the state median. With 55% of students receiving Pell grants, this debt burden affects families who may have fewer financial safety nets.

For families comfortable with the higher upfront cost, the earning power makes this a viable investment. But if your child can access one of California's many lower-debt nursing programs—some with similar starting salaries—those alternatives deserve serious consideration. The strong earnings take the edge off, but this isn't the value play some California nursing programs offer.