Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Xavier College School of Nursing

Xavier College's nursing program launches graduates into earnings well above the national median—$53,442 versus $44,134—placing them in the 87th percentile nationally. However, within California's competitive nursing market, these earnings land squarely at the state median, suggesting this program delivers solid but not exceptional results for the higher cost of living here. The debt burden of $16,850 is reasonable, translating to a 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be manageable on a nursing salary.

The modest 4% earnings growth from year one to year four is worth noting. While many nursing graduates see steady wage increases as they gain experience, this flatter trajectory suggests either a ceiling in this vocational nursing track or that graduates may need to pursue additional credentials (like RN certification) to unlock higher pay. For comparison, top California programs like Unitek College see graduates earning $66,000, roughly 20% more than Xavier's outcomes.

For families considering this program, the math works: relatively low debt paired with day-one earning power above $50,000 creates a manageable financial picture. This is particularly true for the 45% of students receiving Pell grants who might otherwise struggle to access healthcare careers. Just understand you're getting reliable entry into the profession rather than a premium pathway to the field's highest earnings.