Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

This Unitek College nursing program delivers exceptional earning power that places it in the 95th percentile nationally—graduates earn $61,838 in their first year, which is 40% higher than the national median of $44,134. While it ranks in the 60th percentile within California (where nursing generally pays more), the absolute earnings still exceed the state median by $8,800. The debt load of $17,305 is reasonable, creating a strong debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, meaning graduates earn their full debt amount back in roughly 3-4 months.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, with 13% growth from year one to year four, reaching nearly $70,000. This positions graduates well above typical practical nursing salaries both nationally and within California's competitive market. The program serves a significant population of Pell Grant recipients (42%), suggesting it provides strong economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds.

For anxious parents, this represents one of the stronger practical nursing programs available. The combination of high starting salaries, manageable debt, and robust sample size (100+ graduates) provides confidence in these outcomes. While you'll pay slightly above the state median for debt, the earnings premium more than justifies the investment, making this a financially sound choice for entering California's well-paying nursing job market.