Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at San Diego City College
Associate's Degree
sdcity.eduAnalysis
California's nursing market appears exceptionally strong for associate degree graduates, with similar programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $97,000—substantially higher than the $68,000 national median. San Diego City College's program, while lacking reported outcomes due to small graduate samples, likely benefits from this regional advantage. The estimated $14,400 in debt (based on comparable California community college nursing programs) creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.15, meaning graduates could potentially pay off loans in under two months of work.
The fourth-year earnings figure of $79,800—one of the few actual data points available—seems puzzlingly lower than the estimated first-year number. This could reflect measurement quirks, career changes, or part-time work, but it creates uncertainty about the typical earnings trajectory. Still, even this lower figure substantially outpaces the national median and suggests solid earning potential. California's nursing programs consistently outperform national benchmarks, with the top community college programs showing first-year earnings exceeding $110,000.
For parents considering this program: the estimated debt burden appears manageable relative to California nursing salaries, and community college nursing programs in the state have a track record of strong outcomes. However, recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into this specific program's results—the school simply hasn't graduated enough students in recent cohorts to generate published data.
Where San Diego City College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego City College | — | $79,803 | — |
| Contra Costa College | $101,064 | $133,295 | +32% |
| Sacramento City College | $100,622 | $123,056 | +22% |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | $100,800 | $122,896 | +22% |
| Unitek College | $120,006 | $119,891 | -0% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in California (109 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,150 | $97,457* | $79,803 | $14,411* | — | |
| — | $120,006* | $119,891 | $27,113* | 0.23 | |
| $1,128 | $117,283* | $118,060 | $8,729* | 0.07 | |
| $1,423 | $113,261* | — | —* | — | |
| $35,214 | $110,696* | $99,360 | $27,000* | 0.24 | |
| $1,194 | $107,024* | $92,668 | $12,750* | 0.12 | |
| National Median | — | $68,409* | — | $20,751* | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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 San Diego City College, approximately 22% 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 57 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.