Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at The Chicago School at Los Angeles

The Chicago School at Los Angeles lacks program-specific data, but the national benchmarks this estimate draws from reveal a significant gap. Similar nursing programs across the country typically produce first-year earnings around $66,000—but in California, where this school is located, the median for comparable programs jumps to $96,000. That's a $30,000 difference, and it matters when you're carrying debt.

The estimated $26,500 in borrowing sits above both the national and California medians for nursing certificates, yet the earnings estimate doesn't reflect California's substantially higher nursing wages. Nearby programs like Glendale Career College and Cabrillo College report first-year earnings exceeding $90,000, suggesting that if graduates here earn closer to California norms, the debt load becomes manageable. But if outcomes track closer to the national estimate—perhaps due to differences in clinical placement networks or credential recognition—that same debt becomes harder to justify in one of the country's most expensive metros.

The 61% Pell Grant rate indicates this school serves students who can't afford missteps with borrowing. Without actual outcomes data for this specific program, you're making a bet on whether their nursing training translates to California-level earnings. If you're considering this program, contact the school directly for job placement specifics and compare carefully against community colleges and established nursing programs in the LA area that do report strong outcomes.