Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at North-West College-Glendale

North-West College-Glendale's nursing assistant program performs solidly against national standards but falls short of California's competitive healthcare market. While first-year earnings of $50,771 beat the national median by 15%, they land below California's state median of $53,040—placing this program at just the 40th percentile among the state's 122 nursing programs. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income drop to $45,578 by year four, a 10% decline that's unusual in healthcare fields where experience typically commands higher pay.

The debt picture offers a silver lining. At $18,075, borrowing sits slightly above the state median but remains manageable, with graduates owing just 36 cents for every dollar they earn in their first year. For a program serving 56% Pell-eligible students, these debt levels represent reasonable access to healthcare careers. The challenge isn't affordability—it's maximizing earning potential in one of the nation's highest-paying states for nursing roles.

For California families, this program provides a functional entry point to healthcare work, but not a competitive one. When top California programs like Unitek College produce graduates earning $66,000+, settling for below-median state outcomes deserves scrutiny. This works as a backup option if higher-ranked programs aren't accessible, but ambitious students should explore alternatives that better position them in California's lucrative healthcare market.