Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, schedules, and outcomes for Riverside-area vocational nursing schools
Riverside City College’s vocational nursing program routinely accepts just 40, 70 applicants each year, even as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities across the Inland Empire expand their LVN staffing. That mismatch between seat supply and employer demand forces many prospective nurses to look beyond the city limits for training.
Within a 75-mile radius, other BVNPT-approved California nursing programs, from community college programs like Madera or College of the Redwoods to private academies in Glendale and Santa Ana, offer a mix of 12-to-21-month pathways. The differences in LPN program costs and NCLEX-PN performance among those options can be stark, making program-level outcomes a more reliable guide than institutional reputation alone.
We evaluated vocational nursing schools within a 75-mile radius of Riverside, focusing on cost, student outcomes, and program design. Each school on this list offers campus-based LVN training, though institutions range from local public community colleges to private career-focused academies across Southern California.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $22,000/yr | Career changers wanting fast-paced training | |
The Chicago School in Los Angeles offers a 51-week Vocational Nursing Certificate designed for rapid entry into the field. The full-time, campus-based program emphasizes hands-on learning and critical thinking, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED and a nursing admissions test.
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| #2 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Jose, CA | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | Military students using education benefits | |
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, based in San Jose, provides a Vocational Nurse program that integrates nursing principles with behavioral and physical sciences. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences at multiple California campuses. Graduates are prepared for state licensure and immediate work in diverse care settings.
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| #3 | Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | $50,000/yr | Hands-on learners craving simulation experience | |
Career Networks Institute in Santa Ana runs a 21-month Vocational Nursing Diploma Program with a strong emphasis on practical training. Students learn in state-of-the-art simulation labs and small clinical groups of 8–10, using high-fidelity manikins. Financial aid is available, and the program reports a 71% career placement rate.
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| #4 | Glendale Career College | Glendale, CA | $49,000/yr | ||
Glendale Career College offers a Vocational Nursing program focused on hands-on training and modern technology. The institution reports high career placement rates and provides job search assistance to graduates. Median federal loan debt among all graduates is $9,500, well below many private-school peers.
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| #5 | College of the Redwoods | Eureka, CA | $7,000/yr | ||
College of the Redwoods, a public community college in Eureka, delivers a three-semester LVN program at an approximate total cost of $6,500. Admission is selective, requiring a TEAS score of 62% or higher and prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. Financial aid is available, and there is no wait list, up to five alternates are accepted.
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| #6 | Madera Community College | Madera, CA | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Madera Community College, a public institution in California's Central Valley, operates a three-semester Licensed Vocational Nursing program with a net price of just $4,179. Prerequisites in medical terminology, nutrition, and anatomy are mandatory. The program is accredited by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
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| #7 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Riverside City College is the only ranked program physically located in Riverside. The public community college offers a 12-month Vocational Nursing certificate and an Associate of Science option, with an estimated annual cost around $2,000. The cohort-based program accepts 40–70 students per year through a random selection process and requires an active CNA certificate.
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Choosing an LVN program in Riverside often means striking a balance between affordable tuition and a schedule that works with your life. The cheapest program isn't always the best fit if it lacks evening classes or strong clinical placements. Use this framework to zero in on the right school.
Only programs approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-PN and become licensed. Check the BVNPT website directly. If a school isn't listed, it cannot lead to licensure, regardless of what its marketing promises. This step is non-negotiable.
Tuition figures can be misleading. Request a detailed breakdown that includes uniforms, textbooks, lab fees, liability insurance, and the NCLEX exam fee. Some Riverside programs advertise low tuition but add hundreds in hidden costs. Calculate the total expense before deciding.
Many LVN students in Riverside are working adults, so availability of evening or weekend courses matters. Equally important are clinical placement sites: ask where you'll train and whether those facilities are convenient to you. The comparison table below lays out schedule options for each school, so you can quickly spot programs that match your availability.
A program's five-year average NCLEX-PN pass rate offers a reliable signal of teaching quality. Rates above 90% indicate strong preparation; those below 80% may suggest gaps in curriculum or support.
Comparing the true cost of an LVN program means looking beyond sticker-price tuition. The net price shown below is the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, but it reflects the entire institution, so your actual LVN-specific costs may vary. All of these schools participate in federal aid programs, and with Pell Grant recipient shares as high as 99% at Riverside City College, many students receive substantial support. Additional resources like WIOA funding and school-based payment plans can further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
| School | In-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Pell Grant Recipients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Community College | $1,378 | $4,179 | N/A |
| College of the Redwoods | $1,196 | $6,904 | 95.8% |
| Riverside City College | $1,428 | $8,377 | 99.1% |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | N/A (private) | $32,427 | 74.9% |
| Glendale Career College | N/A (private) | $49,195 | 82% |
| Career Networks Institute | N/A (private) | $49,677 | 61.6% |
Public community colleges and private vocational schools each prepare students for the NCLEX-PN, but their pass rates can tell very different stories about graduate readiness. A closer look at Riverside’s BVNPT-approved programs reveals which institutions consistently deliver licensure success.
A program with an 80% or higher first-time pass rate is generally considered solid. When rates climb above 90%, it often signals a rigorous curriculum and ample clinical practice. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) sets a performance benchmark, and programs that consistently fall below that line may face additional scrutiny. While statewide averages can fluctuate year to year, enrolling in a school that routinely posts strong results gives you a clear advantage.
Pass rates change with each testing cycle, so always confirm the most recent figures before enrolling. The BVNPT publishes annual school reports, and many institutions disclose their numbers directly in admissions materials. Ask whether the rate reflects first-time test-takers only (the most meaningful metric) and how many graduates were included. A small cohort paired with a high percentage may not reflect the broader program quality, so weigh class size alongside the rate.
Becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse in Riverside, CA, follows a clear state-defined path. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) oversees all licensing requirements, from prerequisite coursework to passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Alternative entry points exist for certified nursing assistants and military medics, accelerating the journey for qualified candidates.
The decision to become an LVN often hinges on the balance between training costs and future earnings, and understanding local wage data can tip that scale.
Licensed vocational nurses in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area earn a median annual salary of $75,560, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2024. Entry-level wages (10th percentile) start around $61,050, while experienced nurses in the 75th percentile bring home about $80,950. The 25th percentile, often representing newer graduates or those in lower-paying settings, sits at $65,250.
These figures reflect a range of workplaces: hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices all compete for LVN talent in the Inland Empire.
Riverside’s LVN median is slightly below the California statewide median of $77,170, but significantly above the national median of $62,340. In fact, even the lowest-paid LVNs in Riverside (10th percentile) earn more than the national median, underscoring how California’s higher cost of living translates into higher wages for nurses. Compared to state averages, Riverside LVNs earn about 2% less at the median, though the gap narrows at the upper percentiles, the state’s 75th percentile is $85,700 versus $80,950 locally, while the 90th percentile reaches $99,840 statewide (data not available for the metro alone).
While official employment projections for the metro area aren’t published separately, the Inland Empire’s healthcare sector continues to expand. Riverside County’s growing population, coupled with a rising number of retirees, fuels demand for long-term care and outpatient services where LVNs play a critical role. This steady demand, combined with wages that outpace most national figures, makes Riverside an attractive market for new LVNs.
If you are considering a career in vocational nursing, these answers address common questions about Riverside LVN programs. Use this quick guide to clarify program lengths, costs, licensing steps, and advancement paths.
