Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Vanguard University of Southern California

At $102,915 in first-year earnings, Vanguard's nursing program places graduates well above the national median ($74,888) and even slightly ahead of California's already-high state median ($100,588). This is no small achievement in a state with 65 nursing programs—it puts Vanguard near the middle of the pack in California while still outperforming 95% of nursing programs nationwide. The $20,832 debt burden is notably lower than both the California median ($25,000) and national average ($27,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20—meaning graduates earn roughly five times their debt in their first year alone.

The slight dip in earnings to $99,193 by year four warrants attention but doesn't fundamentally change the value equation. This could reflect graduates transitioning between roles or taking time for advanced training, common patterns in nursing careers. What matters more is that even at year four, earnings remain competitive with state medians while the debt stays manageable.

For families comparing nursing programs in California, Vanguard offers solid entry-level outcomes without the debt load of pricier options. You're not getting the six-figure peaks of CSU East Bay or Sonoma State, but you're also paying significantly less upfront. That's a reasonable tradeoff for a program that still delivers strong earning potential from day one.