Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

At $66,221 in first-year earnings, Unitek College's nursing program places graduates at the very top nationally—95th percentile—but the California comparison tells a more nuanced story. While this program leads the state and beats the California median by $13,000, it sits at the 60th percentile among California nursing programs. That makes sense given California's strong nursing market: even "middle of the pack" for the state means exceptional by national standards. The debt load of $17,305 translates to a manageable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn roughly four times what they owe.

The flat earnings trajectory—essentially no growth from year one to year four—is worth noting but less concerning in this field than it would be elsewhere. Practical nursing roles often have defined pay scales, and starting near $66,000 means graduates hit their earning potential immediately rather than grinding through underpaid early years. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly provides a viable entry point to stable healthcare employment for students from modest backgrounds.

For California families, this is a strong option that delivers immediate earning power without crushing debt. The premium over other California programs may reflect Unitek's Bay Area location and employment pipeline, making it particularly valuable if your student plans to work locally where these connections matter most.