At $37,143/yr net price, Carrington College-Sacramento graduates earn $39,633/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,633/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $37,143 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $148,572 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,633/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,633/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 26.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,537 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $36,748/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $36,961/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $37,225/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,495/yr |
| $110,001+ | $40,588/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 | $90,412 | $26,825 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $60,264 | $29,523 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $48,667 | $20,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $47,260 | $18,941 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $42,682 | $17,375 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $33,712 | $27,197 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $29,527 | $19,484 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $27,907 | $9,442 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $27,907 | $10,838 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $27,874 | $15,066 |
The Risk Factor
51.8% of students at Carrington College-Sacramento graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Carrington College-Sacramento asks you to pay $37,143 a year and pays back a median of $39,633 ten years out. That means roughly a full year of net price for every year of post-graduation earnings, and it puts this school in a weak financial position. You'd spend close to $150,000 over four years for a salary that a lot of Sacramento jobs reach without any degree at all.
The one bright spot is debt. Median debt here is $11,537, low enough that you won't be buried in loan payments even on that $39,633 salary. So the risk isn't crushing debt. The risk is opportunity cost: four years and the tuition you paid, chasing an income that doesn't clearly beat what you'd earn otherwise.
The completion numbers add to the concern. Only about 62 percent of you come back for a second year, and just under 52 percent finish. If you drop out, you leave with cost and no credential, which is the worst outcome this school can hand you.
The net price tiers are unusual: paying more as your family earns more is normal, but here even families under $30,000 pay $36,748. That's the near-full sticker for everyone. If your family income is under $48,000, you're paying about $36,900 a year with barely any break, so run the aid math carefully before committing.
This school makes financial sense only if you have a specific, licensed career in mind that Carrington's programs lead to directly and that pays above the $39,633 median. If you're comparing it against a community college or CSU Sacramento for a general credential, look there first , the price gap is large and the earnings payoff here doesn't justify it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carrington College-Sacramento worth the cost?
The return on investment is questionable for most students. With a net price of $37,143 per year and median earnings of only $39,633 ten years after graduation, many graduates will struggle to justify the expense.
What are the best paying programs at Carrington College-Sacramento?
Registered Nursing programs offer the strongest ROI with graduates earning around $90,412 annually. Dental Support Services graduates earn about $60,264, making these the only programs that clearly justify the school's high costs.
How much debt do Carrington College-Sacramento graduates have?
The median debt is $11,537, which is relatively manageable. However, with low graduation rates at 52% and modest post-graduation earnings, even this debt level can be challenging for many students.
Should I attend Carrington College-Sacramento for nursing?
If you can get into the Registered Nursing program, yes. RN graduates earn $90,412 on average, making it one of the few programs worth the investment at this school.