Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Unitek College

Unitek College's nursing graduates earn $120,006 right out of the gate—landing in the 95th percentile nationally and making nearly $23,000 more than California's median for associate degree nursing programs. That's elite territory, essentially matching Yuba College's top-ranked graduates. The $27,113 in debt is higher than both state and national medians, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23, graduates could theoretically pay it off in under three months of work.

The catch? Earnings are completely flat from year one to year four. While most nursing programs show at least modest wage growth as graduates gain experience, Unitek's alumni appear to hit their ceiling immediately. This isn't necessarily alarming—they're already earning exceptionally well—but it does suggest limited advancement potential compared to peers whose salaries typically climb into the $80,000-$90,000 range over time.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, this program delivers immediate financial results that justify the premium. Your child would graduate earning more than 95% of associate-degree nurses nationally, with manageable debt that won't constrain their options. Just understand you're paying for a strong start, not necessarily a steeper trajectory.