Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Reedley College
Associate's Degree
reedleycollege.eduAnalysis
Similar nursing programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $56,700—solidly above the national median but trailing the strongest performers in the state. Unitek College and several community colleges report outcomes 10-15% higher, indicating Reedley's program likely lands in the middle of California's competitive nursing landscape. With an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, borrowers would face manageable payments if these estimates hold true, though it's worth noting that nearby community colleges like Butte often report better earnings outcomes at comparable or lower debt levels.
The $18,000 in estimated debt sits below both state and national benchmarks for nursing programs, which matters considerably for a credential designed to launch working-class careers quickly. Based on peer programs, graduates could realistically pay off loans within 3-4 years on a standard repayment plan while earning a living wage from day one. The 28% Pell grant rate suggests many students here already face financial pressure, making the debt picture a critical consideration.
Without actual outcome data for Reedley's specific cohorts, you're betting on the program performing like its California peers—reasonable, but not guaranteed. If your student needs immediate employment and manageable debt, this looks viable based on state trends, but compare carefully with nearby programs that have published their own graduates' actual earnings before committing.
Where Reedley College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants associates's programs at peer institutions in California (56 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Reedley CollegeReedley | $1,334 | $56,700* | — | $18,241* | — |
 Unitek CollegeFremont | — | $72,368* | $99,091 | $22,848* | 0.32 |
 Butte CollegeOroville | $1,336 | $65,467* | — | $13,382* | 0.20 |
 Carrington College-San JoseSan Jose | — | $65,035* | $81,578 | $32,832* | 0.50 |
| Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento | — | $65,035* | $81,578 | $32,832* | 0.50 |
 Pacific CollegeCosta Mesa | — | $59,213* | — | $16,125* | 0.27 |
| National Median | — | $51,744* | — | $19,404* | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
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 Reedley College, approximately 28% 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 11 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.