Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Los Angeles Southwest College
Associate's Degree
lasc.eduAnalysis
California's nursing market produces exceptional outcomes, and comparable programs in the state suggest Los Angeles Southwest College follows this pattern. With estimated first-year earnings near $98,000 and debt around $14,400—based on similar California associate nursing programs—the financial profile is compelling. The 0.15 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would need roughly two months of gross pay to clear their educational investment, far better than the national median debt burden for nursing programs.
By year four, actual reported earnings reach $111,000, placing this program's graduates in California's competitive nursing landscape. While top state programs like Unitek and Yuba report first-year earnings above $117,000, those figures represent specific cohorts at individual schools. What matters more is that California nursing programs consistently outperform the $68,000 national median by wide margins, reflecting the state's healthcare wage structure and demand.
For a quarter of students here receiving Pell grants, this pathway offers genuine economic mobility. The estimated figures align with California's documented nursing outcomes, and even conservative projections suggest strong returns. If your child is committed to nursing and wants to stay in California's healthcare system, the financial fundamentals work clearly in their favor here.
Where Los Angeles Southwest College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Southwest College | — | $111,106 | — |
| Contra Costa College | $101,064 | $133,295 | +32% |
| Sacramento City College | $100,622 | $123,056 | +22% |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | $100,800 | $122,896 | +22% |
| Unitek College | $120,006 | $119,891 | -0% |
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)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles | $1,238 | $97,457* | $111,106 | $14,411* | — |
 Unitek CollegeFremont | — | $120,006* | $119,891 | $27,113* | 0.23 |
 Yuba CollegeMarysville | $1,128 | $117,283* | $118,060 | $8,729* | 0.07 |
 Mendocino CollegeUkiah | $1,423 | $113,261* | — | —* | — |
 Pacific Union CollegeAngwin | $35,214 | $110,696* | $99,360 | $27,000* | 0.24 |
 Merced CollegeMerced | $1,194 | $107,024* | $92,668 | $12,750* | 0.12 |
| National Median | — | $68,409* | — | $20,751* | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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 Los Angeles Southwest College, approximately 25% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 57 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.