LPN PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA — Federal Data, September 2026
LPN Programs in California, Ranked On What Graduates Owe And Earn
53 accredited institutions in California report enough federal data on this program to be compared. They are ranked here on a single measure: how many months of gross pay it takes a graduate to cover the median debt.
See The RankingU.S. Department of Education data. No school paid to be listed.
Across the 53 ranked programs in California, the median graduate needs 4.1 months of gross pay to cover a median federal debt of $17,608, against median earnings of $52,487 one year after completion.
That is faster than the national median of 4.3 months for this field, measured across the 650 institutions in our national LPN programs ranking. The best performer in the state is Charles A Jones Career and Education Center in Sacramento, at 1.9 months.
Every figure on this page is recalculated on California institutions only. Nothing is carried over from the national page.
At A Glance
What the federal data says about LPN programs in California
The Ranking
53 LPN programs in California, ranked by months of gross pay to cover the debt
Lower is better.
| # | School | Type | Award | Months | Debt | Earnings | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles A Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento, CA | Public | Certificate | 1.9 | $9,498 | $60,282 | 65% |
| 2 | Merced CollegeMerced, CA | Public | Certificate | 2.4 | $6,250 | $31,349 | 36% |
| 3 | Butte CollegeOroville, CA | Public | Associate | 2.5 | $13,382 | $65,467 | 45% |
| 4 | Marian Health Careers Center-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.5 | $12,333 | $58,726 | 67% |
| 5 | Marian Health Careers Center-Van Nuys CampusVan Nuys, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 2.5 | $12,333 | $58,726 | 71% |
| 6 | Medical Allied Career CenterSanta Fe Springs, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.1 | $17,130 | $65,387 | 81% |
| 7 | Unitek CollegeSouth San Francisco, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.1 | $17,305 | $66,221 | 73% |
| 8 | Unitek CollegeHayward, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.1 | $17,305 | $66,221 | 63% |
| 9 | Pacific CollegeCosta Mesa, CA | for-profit | Associate | 3.3 | $16,125 | $59,213 | 62% |
| 10 | American Career College-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,317 | $60,281 | 75% |
| 11 | Concorde Career College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,179 | $60,979 | 76% |
| 12 | Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,375 | $60,778 | 51% |
| 13 | Carrington College-San JoseSan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,375 | $60,778 | 60% |
| 14 | American Career College-AnaheimAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,317 | $60,281 | 70% |
| 15 | Unitek CollegeFremont, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.4 | $17,305 | $61,838 | 73% |
| 16 | North-West College-Van NuysVan Nuys, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $18,845 | $62,356 | 60% |
| 17 | Institute of TechnologyClovis, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $16,719 | $55,599 | 73% |
| 18 | Career Development Institute IncLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.6 | $16,873 | $56,099 | 79% |
| 19 | Glendale Career CollegeGlendale, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $18,075 | $59,140 | 63% |
| 20 | North-West College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.7 | $18,075 | $59,140 | n/a |
| 21 | Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSan Jose, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.8 | $17,317 | $54,359 | 64% |
| 22 | Xavier College School of NursingStockton, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.8 | $16,850 | $53,442 | 80% |
| 23 | Smith Chason CollegeLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.9 | $18,015 | $55,488 | 72% |
| 24 | American Career College-OntarioOntario, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 3.9 | $17,317 | $52,792 | 66% |
| 25 | California Career InstituteAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $17,363 | $51,989 | 100% |
| 26 | Integrity College of HealthPasadena, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.0 | $17,200 | $51,193 | n/a |
| 27 | Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $17,421 | $51,132 | 76% |
| 28 | The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 4.1 | $20,324 | $59,039 | n/a |
| 29 | Angeles InstituteARTESIA, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.1 | $17,783 | $52,303 | 47% |
| 30 | Concorde Career College-North HollywoodNorth Hollywood, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.2 | $19,905 | $56,444 | 78% |
| 31 | Stanbridge UniversityIrvine, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.2 | $20,000 | $57,359 | 62% |
| 32 | North-West College-PomonaPomona, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,845 | $52,487 | 71% |
| 33 | North-West College-West CovinaWest Covina, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,075 | $50,771 | 68% |
| 34 | North-West College-RiversideRiverside, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,845 | $52,487 | 72% |
| 35 | Homestead SchoolsTorrance, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,040 | $50,456 | 93% |
| 36 | High Desert Medical CollegeLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $17,608 | $49,021 | 68% |
| 37 | North-West College-AnaheimAnaheim, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,845 | $52,487 | 60% |
| 38 | North-West College-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,845 | $52,487 | 58% |
| 39 | Homestead Schools-Costa MesaCosta Mesa, CA | nonprofit | Certificate | 4.3 | $18,040 | $50,456 | n/a |
| 40 | Blake Austin CollegeVacaville, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.5 | $17,900 | $48,106 | 89% |
| 41 | Beaumont Adult SchoolBeaumont, CA | Public | Certificate | 4.5 | $18,857 | $50,638 | 100% |
| 42 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia, CA | for-profit | Associate | 4.6 | $20,000 | $51,744 | 36% |
| 43 | San Joaquin Valley College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA | for-profit | Associate | 4.6 | $20,000 | $51,744 | 58% |
| 44 | Angeles CollegeLos Angeles, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.6 | $20,000 | $52,241 | 93% |
| 45 | San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageRancho Mirage, CA | for-profit | Associate | 4.6 | $20,000 | $51,744 | 70% |
| 46 | San Joaquin Valley College-Santa MariaSanta Maria, CA | for-profit | Associate | 4.6 | $20,000 | $51,744 | 63% |
| 47 | California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho Mirage, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.7 | $20,000 | $51,543 | 80% |
| 48 | Summit CollegeSan Bernardino, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.8 | $17,503 | $43,828 | 62% |
| 49 | Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.9 | $20,125 | $49,589 | 84% |
| 50 | Career Care InstituteLancaster, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 4.9 | $17,246 | $42,296 | 71% |
| 51 | American Medical Sciences CenterGlendale, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.4 | $17,293 | $38,527 | 75% |
| 52 | Premiere Career CollegeIrwindale, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 5.5 | $20,000 | $43,854 | 52% |
| 53 | Healthcare Career CollegeParamount, CA | for-profit | Certificate | 6.2 | $20,000 | $38,457 | 71% |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Cohorts by Field of Study and by Institution (published 9 June 2026). Debt is the median federal Stafford and Grad PLUS loan debt of completers in this program; earnings are median earnings one year after completion. Where a school offers the program at both certificate and associate level, the shorter payback is shown. Completion is the institution’s published rate, not the program’s.
The Top Five, In Detail
The five fastest payback programs in California, one by one
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center
Sacramento, CA
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center is a public institution in Sacramento. Its practical nursing graduates leave with a median federal debt of $9,498 and report median earnings of $60,282 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 1.9 months of gross pay: the fastest payback in the state, and 2.2 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 65% completion rate.
Merced College
Merced, CA
Merced College is a public institution in Merced. Its practical nursing graduates leave with a median federal debt of $6,250 and report median earnings of $31,349 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.4 months of gross pay: the second fastest in the state, and 1.7 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 36% completion rate.
Butte College
Oroville, CA
Butte College is a public institution in Oroville. Its practical nursing graduates leave with a median federal debt of $13,382 and report median earnings of $65,467 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.5 months of gross pay: the third fastest in the state, and 1.6 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is an associate degree. The institution reports a 45% completion rate.
Marian Health Careers Center-Los Angeles Campus
Los Angeles, CA
Marian Health Careers Center-Los Angeles Campus is a private for-profit institution in Los Angeles. Its practical nursing graduates leave with a median federal debt of $12,333 and report median earnings of $58,726 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.5 months of gross pay: fourth in the state, and 1.6 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 67% completion rate.
Marian Health Careers Center-Van Nuys Campus
Van Nuys, CA
Marian Health Careers Center-Van Nuys Campus is a private for-profit institution in Van Nuys. Its practical nursing graduates leave with a median federal debt of $12,333 and report median earnings of $58,726 a year after completing, so the debt is covered by 2.5 months of gross pay: fifth in the state, and 1.6 months faster than the California state median of 4.1. The award measured here is a certificate. The institution reports a 71% completion rate.
Read It Carefully
What this ranking does not measure
Absence from this page is not a verdict. The Department of Education suppresses figures for programs with small cohorts, so a small, excellent school will often have no publishable data at all. Schools that enroll no students on federal aid are outside this dataset entirely.
The measure is a ratio, not a repayment plan, and it counts federal loan debt only. Cash payments, private loans and employer sponsorship are invisible here. Local wages shape earnings as much as the school does, which is exactly why comparing inside one state, as this page does, is more informative than comparing across the country.
Other States
The same program, another state
Other Programs in California
Comparing a different trade in California
For CALIFORNIA School Operators
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