Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Golden West College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Golden West College's nursing program posts strong earnings by national standards—graduates start at $83K, landing in the 95th percentile nationally. But here's the catch: within California's competitive nursing market, that same salary sits at just the 40th percentile. California's nursing programs typically produce median earnings of $97K, meaning Golden West graduates earn roughly $15,000 less annually than the state norm. The debt load of $21,500 is reasonable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, though it's slightly above the state median of $16K.
The earnings trajectory shows modest 7% growth over four years, reaching $89K—still well below what many California community college nursing programs deliver right out of the gate. Compare this to Yuba or Merced colleges, where graduates earn $107K-$117K in their first year. For California families weighing in-state options, this matters: the $15K-$30K annual gap between Golden West and higher-performing state programs compounds significantly over a nursing career.
The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) warrants caution—these numbers could swing considerably with more data. But the current picture suggests that while Golden West offers a path into nursing with manageable debt, California parents should compare outcomes across multiple community college programs in the state, where several deliver substantially stronger earning power for similar or lower cost.
Where Golden West College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Golden West College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Golden West College graduates earn $83k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in California (109 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden West College | $82,984 | $88,521 | $21,500 | 0.26 |
| Unitek College | $120,006 | $119,891 | $27,113 | 0.23 |
| Yuba College | $117,283 | $118,060 | $8,729 | 0.07 |
| Mendocino College | $113,261 | — | — | — |
| Pacific Union College | $110,696 | $99,360 | $27,000 | 0.24 |
| Merced College | $107,024 | $92,668 | $12,750 | 0.12 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unitek College Fremont | — | $120,006 | $27,113 |
| Yuba College Marysville | $1,128 | $117,283 | $8,729 |
| Mendocino College Ukiah | $1,423 | $113,261 | — |
| Pacific Union College Angwin | $35,214 | $110,696 | $27,000 |
| Merced College Merced | $1,194 | $107,024 | $12,750 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Golden West College, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 50 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.