Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Los Angeles Pierce College

Comparable nursing programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $97,500, which would make Pierce's debt load of $12,850 remarkably manageable—a 0.13 ratio that ranks among the lowest in the state. That's significantly less debt than the California median of $15,625 for nursing programs, and well below the $20,751 national benchmark. This matters because even if actual Pierce outcomes vary from the state average, the debt burden here gives graduates substantial financial breathing room.

The earnings trajectory shows something unusual: reported four-year earnings of $72,462 are actually lower than the estimated first-year figure. This could reflect part-time work, career changes, or simply the volatility of small sample sizes in suppressed data. What's clearer is that California nursing programs broadly deliver strong returns—even the state median puts graduates well above the $68,409 national benchmark—and debt at this level rarely becomes unmanageable in nursing.

For parents, the low debt is the decisive factor. Whether Pierce graduates match the state average or fall somewhat short, they're entering a profession with robust demand and clear earning potential without the debt burden that often accompanies healthcare training at private institutions. The financial foundation here is solid enough to handle variation in individual outcomes.