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

California's nursing market is one of the nation's strongest, and programs across the state typically produce first-year earnings near $97,000—substantially higher than the $68,000 national median. Los Angeles Valley College's program appears positioned to deliver similar outcomes based on its location and the state's wage patterns. With debt under $11,000, graduates would owe roughly 11 cents for every dollar earned in that first year—a ratio that looks manageable even if actual earnings fall somewhat short of the state median.

What's reassuring is the four-year earnings figure of $90,000, which represents actual reported data and confirms graduates are commanding strong wages as they gain experience. The debt load is also well below both the state median ($15,625) and particularly the national median ($20,751), landing this program in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of nursing programs nationwide leave students with more debt.

The real question is whether Los Angeles Valley can match the top-performing community colleges in California, where some programs show earnings exceeding $110,000. But even if outcomes land closer to the state average, the debt-to-earnings fundamentals suggest this program offers strong value: low borrowing to access one of California's most reliably compensated healthcare roles.