Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at North-West College-San Diego

North-West College-San Diego graduates start strong—earning $59,140 in their first year places them in the 95th percentile nationally and comfortably above California's $53,040 median for nursing assistant programs. The $18,075 in debt is reasonable for a vocational credential, with graduates earning more than three times that amount in their first year. Nearly half the students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program effectively serves students who need career-focused training.

The concern is what happens next. Earnings drop 16% by year four to $49,453, falling below both the California median and the first-year national average. This backward slide is unusual for healthcare credentials and suggests graduates may face challenges advancing within the field or maintaining their initial positions. The program ranks at just the 60th percentile in California—decent, but nowhere near the top-performing programs like Unitek ($66,221) or Medical Allied Career Center ($65,387).

For parents, this means evaluating whether that strong first-year salary justifies the later decline. If your child plans to use this as a stepping stone to RN training or other advancement, the low debt and immediate earning power work in your favor. But if this represents their terminal credential, understand that peak earnings arrive immediately after graduation, not years later with experience.