Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Rio Hondo College

California's nursing assistant and practical nursing programs typically deliver strong returns, and the estimated figures here suggest Rio Hondo College follows that pattern. Based on comparable programs statewide, graduates likely earn around $53,000 in their first year—well above the national median of $44,000 for this credential—while taking on an estimated $9,500 in debt. That 0.18 debt-to-earnings ratio is notably better than the state median debt of $17,421, suggesting Rio Hondo may offer a more affordable path than many California competitors.

The challenge is that these are estimates drawn from peer programs, not actual outcomes for Rio Hondo's graduates. The earnings figure comes from 50 similar California programs, while the debt estimate is based on just 5 programs at similar institutions. Some California schools with reported data show graduates earning $62,000-$66,000 in their first year, which raises the question of whether Rio Hondo's outcomes truly align with the state median or fall elsewhere in that range.

What's clear is that nursing credentials in California command strong wages relative to educational investment, and Rio Hondo's likely debt load appears manageable. But with graduate sample sizes too small for the Department of Education to publish actual data, you're making this decision with less certainty than ideal. If Rio Hondo can confirm their placement rates and typical starting wages for recent graduates, that information would be invaluable before committing.