Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at The Chicago School at Los Angeles

This Chicago School program shows something unusual: graduates earn exceptionally well nationally (95th percentile) but land squarely in the middle of California's competitive nursing landscape (60th percentile). That $59,039 starting salary beats the national median by $15,000, yet dozens of California programs produce similar or better outcomes—often at community colleges with lower tuition. The $20,324 debt load sits well below both national and state averages, which helps offset the premium pricing, but it's still substantially more than what students pay at comparable public alternatives.

The 6% earnings decline between year one and year four deserves attention. While LVN salaries can plateau as nurses gain experience without advancing credentials, this backward trajectory suggests graduates may face headwinds in the saturated LA market. The moderate sample size means these patterns could shift, but the current data shows earnings peaking immediately after graduation rather than growing with experience.

For families weighing this program, the calculation hinges on alternatives. If community college LVN programs feel inaccessible due to waitlists or scheduling constraints, this delivers solid results with manageable debt. But if your child can access California's public nursing programs—many of which achieve similar earnings at half the cost—those represent stronger financial value. The outcomes aren't poor; they're just not distinctive enough to justify choosing a private program in a state where public options dominate the top performers.