At $28,292/yr net price, Career Networks Institute graduates earn $45,256/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,256/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,292 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $113,168 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,256/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,256/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,899 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,202/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,738/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,097/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,097/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $65,387 | $27,986 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,606 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $30,228 | $14,938 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,640 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
76.9% of students at Career Networks Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Career Networks Institute gives you a weak financial return. You pay $28,292 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $45,256. That means a single year of net price nearly matches two-thirds of a full year of post-graduation pay, and the four-year sticker adds up to more than double what a typical graduate makes annually.
The debt side looks more manageable than the earnings side. Median debt of $25,899 is close to a single year's net price, so you are not walking out with a crushing loan balance. But low debt does not fix low pay. On a $45,256 salary, that debt still eats into years of tight budgets.
The 76.9% graduation rate and 100% retention rate tell you people who start here tend to finish. That protects you from the worst outcome, paying for a credential you never complete. The problem is what the completed credential earns you in the Santa Ana job market, and $45,256 is below what many California workers make without this degree.
No program-level salary data is listed here, so treat the $45,256 median as the whole story. Do not assume any specific major beats it.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $23,202. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay $31,097. That $7,895 gap is small, so lower-income families carry nearly the same annual cost as wealthy ones. There is no steep discount waiting for you at the bottom of the income scale.
This school fits you if you want a near-certain path to finishing a credential and the earnings figure clears your personal bar. If you need the degree to lift your income well above $45,000, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Career Networks Institute worth the cost?
Career Networks Institute's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Registered nursing graduates earn $65,387 annually, making the $28,292 yearly cost worthwhile, but other programs like medical assisting lead to wages barely above the cost of attendance.
What Career Networks Institute programs have the best return on investment?
Registered nursing programs offer the strongest ROI at Career Networks Institute, with graduates earning $65,387 compared to the school's $28,292 annual cost. Practical nursing also provides decent returns at $37,606, while medical assisting and other allied health programs offer poor financial outcomes.
How much debt do Career Networks Institute students graduate with?
Career Networks Institute students graduate with a median debt of $25,899. With overall graduate earnings averaging $45,256 after 10 years, this debt load is manageable for nursing students but creates financial strain for those in lower-paying programs.
Do Career Networks Institute graduates get good jobs after graduation?
Career Networks Institute has a 76.9% graduation rate, which is reasonable for a vocational school. However, job quality varies dramatically by program, with nursing graduates finding well-paying positions while allied health graduates often struggle with low wages relative to their education costs.