At $25,719/yr net price, Unitek College graduates earn $79,550/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $45,550/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,719 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $102,876 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $79,550/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$45,550/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,700 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,388/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,980/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,357/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,357/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 | $94,112 | $18,594 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $54,697 | $12,523 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $51,180 | $16,610 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $34,420 | $9,403 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $31,590 | $7,715 |
The Risk Factor
71.7% of students at Unitek College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Unitek College gives you a strong financial return for a for-profit school. Ten years out, median earnings of $79,550 land well above what most for-profit colleges deliver, and median debt of $10,700 is low enough that you can pay it off without it hanging over you for years. That gap between high earnings and low debt is the core of the case here.
Unitek is a healthcare-focused school, and that focus drives the numbers. Fremont sits in the Bay Area, where nursing and allied health workers command high wages and hospitals hire steadily. If you enroll in a nursing or health program that leads to a licensed job, the earnings figure is realistic for your market. No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so treat any specific program payoff as something to verify with Unitek directly before you enroll.
The main risk is the net price. At roughly $25,700 a year, this is expensive for a program-focused school, and the low median debt suggests many people cover a large share out of pocket or through grants. The 71.70% graduation rate and 85.71% retention are both solid, so your odds of finishing are good, but the return only works if you graduate and land a licensed healthcare job. Drop out or fail licensure, and you carry the cost without the earnings.
The net price barely moves across income levels. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about the same as a family earning over $75k, so lower-income families get little price relief here. Budget for the full cost regardless of your income. This school fits you if you want a healthcare credential and plan to work in the Bay Area. If you want a cheaper path to the same license, check community college nursing programs first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unitek College worth the money for nursing programs?
Unitek College's registered nursing program shows strong ROI with graduates earning around $94,000 annually, well above the school's $25,719 yearly cost. The 71.7% graduation rate is decent for a vocational school, and median debt of $10,700 is manageable for nursing salaries.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Unitek College?
Job prospects vary dramatically by program at Unitek College. Nursing graduates typically find work easily and earn good salaries, while allied health and IT graduates earn much less at $31,000-34,000 annually, making the investment questionable for these fields.
How much debt do Unitek College students typically graduate with?
Unitek College graduates carry a median debt of $10,700, which is relatively low compared to many private colleges. However, this debt load becomes problematic for graduates in lower-paying programs like allied health services where starting salaries are around $31,000.
Does Unitek College have good financial aid for students?
With a net price of $25,719 per year, Unitek College costs significantly more than community college alternatives for similar programs. The low median debt suggests some financial aid is available, but students should compare costs carefully against local community colleges offering nursing programs.