Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and clinical hours at accredited vocational nursing schools near Alhambra
How do you find a BVNPT-approved vocational nursing program near Alhambra that’s affordable and consistently prepares students for the NCLEX-PN?
Alhambra sits at a crossroads in the San Gabriel Valley, putting residents within reach of LVN training options across Los Angeles County. But the differences between programs are stark: net price can range from under $5,000 at a public community college to more than $30,000 at a private institution, and first-time NCLEX pass rates can swing by 20 percentage points or more.
The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) approval is the non-negotiable starting point: the cornerstone of all accredited LVN programs in California. Every program considered on this page has been evaluated for that status. For Alhambra students, the real work isn't finding a program: it is identifying the one that balances upfront cost, accreditation, and a track record of getting graduates licensed.
This list identifies the strongest LVN options for Alhambra-area students, weighing net price, institution-wide outcomes, and practical proximity. Programs are ordered by overall fit, combining data-driven metrics with real-world relevance to the San Gabriel Valley. Whether you need a downtown LA campus, a low-cost public pathway, or strong career placement, these schools represent diverse routes into vocational nursing.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $22,000/yr | LA commuters seeking psych-informed nursing | |
The Chicago School in Los Angeles brings a distinct behavioral-health lens to its new Vocational Nursing certificate, located downtown with easy freeway access from Alhambra. The 51-week full-time program covers patient care and medical terminology and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. As a very recent program, historical licensure exam pass rates are not yet available; the institution-wide graduation rate is also not yet reported for this campus.
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| #2 | Glendale Career College | Glendale, CA | $49,000/yr | San Gabriel Valley career-changers | |
Glendale Career College’s Vocational Nursing program is a campus-based option just minutes from Alhambra, emphasizing hands-on training, modern technology, and robust career placement assistance with high success rates. The institution reports an institution-wide graduation rate around 63%, and graduates carry a median debt of only $9,500, well below the private-school average. Clinical rotations across the LA region prepare students for diverse urban healthcare settings.
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| #3 | Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | $50,000/yr | Orange County commuters wanting strong completion odds | |
Career Networks Institute in Santa Ana offers a 21-month Vocational Nursing Diploma that blends classroom instruction with clinical practice, targeting Southern California students willing to commute from the Alhambra area. The college boasts an institution-wide graduation rate near 89% and 100% retention, though the net price is on the higher end. The program includes NCLEX-PN preparation, financial aid, and evening/weekend clinical schedules.
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| #4 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Jose, CA | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Jose runs a Vocational Nurse program that combines nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences, with multiple California campuses accepting students statewide. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 64%, and graduates see strong median earnings of nearly $67,000. Its Northern California location makes it a relocation-only option for most Alhambra residents, but out-of-area applicants are welcomed.
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| #5 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Riverside City College offers a 12-month public Vocational Nursing certificate at an exceptionally low total program cost of approximately $2,000, with a random selection admission process that does not disadvantage out-of-district applicants from Alhambra. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 37%, typical for open-access community colleges. Graduates often work in the Inland Empire and adjacent LA County corridors.
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| #6 | College of the Redwoods | Eureka, CA | $7,000/yr | ||
College of the Redwoods in Eureka provides a three-semester public LVN program with in-state tuition rates, though its far Northern California location makes it impractical for most Alhambra residents unless relocating. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 34%, and graduates carry very low median debt. Clinical experience is included, with no wait list and a small cohort size.
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| #7 | Madera Community College | Madera, CA | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Madera Community College in the Central Valley offers a three-semester LVN program accredited by BVNPT, with a net price under $4,200, but is not a practical commute from Alhambra. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 35%. The program emphasizes safe nursing practices and ongoing application acceptance.
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The net price, an estimate of total costs after grant aid, varies considerably across LVN programs serving Alhambra. Public community colleges like Madera Community College, College of the Redwoods, and Riverside City College report net prices between $4,179 and $8,377 per year, while private institutions such as Gurnick Academy, Glendale Career College, and Career Networks Institute range from $32,427 to $49,677. These differences largely reflect the higher tuition at private schools and the availability of federal and state grants.
The NCLEX-PN pass rate is a key indicator of an LVN program's effectiveness, reflecting how well graduates are prepared for licensure. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) publishes these rates annually, and the statewide average for LVN programs was 81% in late 2023. Individual programs near Alhambra show a wide range, from 43% at Platt College Alhambra to 95% for Stanbridge University's Orange County campus.
| School | NCLEX-PN Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| Platt College Alhambra | 43% (Oct-Dec 2023; range 40-62% from Jan 2022-Dec 2023) |
| Stanbridge University, Orange County | 95% (2023) |
| Stanbridge University, Los Angeles | 93% (2023) |
The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) holds the keys to your nursing license; understanding its approval process is non-negotiable before enrolling in any Alhambra-area LVN program.
Most LVN programs in the Alhambra area share a core set of admission requirements:
Specific requirements can differ. For example, Platt College’s Alhambra campus requires a campus visit, an advisor meeting, and a standardized entrance exam, while other approved schools might add an interview or require CNA certification as a prerequisite. Always confirm directly with each program.
Full-time LVN programs in Alhambra typically span 12 to 18 months. Platt College’s vocational nursing track, for instance, takes about 60 weeks (roughly 15 months of continuous enrollment), though the total calendar time from start to completion may extend to 18 months depending on schedule breaks. Part-time paths, when available, take longer.
BVNPT approval exists in two forms:
Currently, Platt College Alhambra operates under provisional approval through 2026. Its most recent NCLEX-PN pass rate of 43% (2024) illustrates the scrutiny provisional programs face. By contrast, Platt College’s Riverside campus holds full approval. Always check a program’s current approval status directly on the BVNPT website.
BVNPT approval is the sole pathway to NCLEX-PN eligibility in California. Regional or national accreditation (such as WASC) is separate and may affect credit transfer or federal financial aid, but without BVNPT approval you cannot become a licensed vocational nurse. When evaluating Alhambra-area schools, make BVNPT status your first filter.
A sustained demand for skilled nursing care across Southern California has made vocational nursing a steady career choice, and Alhambra graduates are positioned to benefit from average LPN salaries that consistently beat the national average.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $54,620 for licensed vocational nurses, with the bottom 10% earning less than $40,490 and the top 10% earning more than $72,650.1 In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area, the average annual salary reaches $68,530 (mean), reflecting both a higher cost of living and strong regional demand.1 This places the LA metro area well above the national median and makes it one of the more competitive markets for LVNs in the state.
California remains one of the top-paying states for LVNs. While a statewide median is not separately available, the LA metro mean of $68,530 far exceeds the national median. Within the state, however, wages vary significantly. The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro area tops the list with a mean annual wage of $80,470. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region also posts similarly high averages, often exceeding $75,000, driven by healthcare demand in the Bay Area.1 Alhambra’s proximity to major healthcare employers in Los Angeles County means graduates can access wages near the top of the national spectrum without needing to relocate to the most expensive Northern California markets.
The California Employment Development Department projects steady job growth for LVNs, fueled by an aging population and expansion of outpatient and long-term care. Home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities are particularly hungry for LVN talent in the region. Many Alhambra-area programs have clinical partnerships with local facilities, giving students a direct path into these high-demand roles after licensure.
Given the moderate cost of many LVN programs around Alhambra, the return on investment is attractive. U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data for nearby schools provides a realistic earnings benchmark. For instance, alumni of The Chicago School at Los Angeles report median annual earnings of $56,899, while Glendale Career College graduates report median earnings of $41,472. Even for lower-cost options like Riverside City College (net price under $9,000), median earnings exceed $41,000. These figures represent earnings after graduation and demonstrate that LVN training can quickly pay for itself, especially for students who choose programs with manageable debt loads and strong NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Choosing the right LVN program starts with clear answers. Below we address the most common questions about cost, duration, approval status, salary, and admissions for LVN programs in Alhambra, California.
