Side-by-side rankings of San Diego County vocational nursing programs with tuition, outcomes, and admission details.
San Diego’s healthcare employers need licensed vocational nurses, and local salaries reflect that demand: LVNs in the metro area earn a median annual wage approaching $70,000. The vocational nursing programs ranked below are approved by the California BVNPT and compared on cost, NCLEX pass rates, and delivery format. Tuition ranges from under $5,000 to over $25,000, making price a deciding factor for many. With program lengths of 12-18 months, the geography shapes which schools are reachable, and the spread of NCLEX pass rates, from the high 90s down to the 70s, means school choice directly influences licensure probability.
California offers a range of vocational nursing programs, and we evaluated them on net price, institution-wide graduation rates, and program structure to surface options that deliver strong value for San Diego–area students. Each school below is ranked for its balance of affordability and quality; detailed NCLEX pass rates and course schedules appear in the comparison table that follows.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $22,000/yr | Intensive, fast-track prelicensure path | |
The Chicago School in Los Angeles delivers a 51-week, full-time Certificate in Vocational Nursing that emphasizes hands-on learning and critical thinking. With a uniform tuition of $21,780 and median graduate debt around $20,000, the program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and reports median earnings of $56,899 a decade out. Institution-wide graduation data is not publicly reported for this specialized private college.
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| #2 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Jose, CA | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | Veterans using military benefits | |
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, with multiple California campuses, offers a campus-based Vocational Nurse program from its San Jose location. The private school has a net price of $32,427 and a 63.9% institution-wide graduation rate. The curriculum blends nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences; the college is military-friendly and emphasizes robust clinical experiences, making it a practical choice for veterans and those seeking direct patient-care training.
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| #3 | Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | $50,000/yr | Tech-savvy hands-on learners | |
CNI College in Santa Ana offers a 21-month Vocational Nursing Diploma with a blend of classroom instruction and clinical training. The institution reports a strong 89.3% graduation rate and a career placement rate above 71%. The net price is $49,677, and students gain access to high-fidelity simulation labs, laptops, and comprehensive NCLEX preparation. The program’s technology-rich environment supports hands-on skill development.
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| #4 | Glendale Career College | Glendale, CA | $49,000/yr | ||
Glendale Career College provides a campus-based Vocational Nursing program focused on modern technology and practical experience. The private college charges a net price of $49,195, but graduates leave with a median debt of just $9,500. The institution-wide graduation rate is 62.6%, and the program highlights career placement assistance with high placement rates. The emphasis on real-world application makes it a solid entry point into nursing.
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| #5 | College of the Redwoods | Eureka, CA | $7,000/yr | ||
College of the Redwoods in Eureka offers a public LVN Program with an approximate total cost of $6,500. The three-semester, campus-based curriculum includes clinical rotations and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. The institution-wide graduation rate is 33.9%, and the program boasts a no-waitlist admissions structure, making it one of the most affordable options for California residents.
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| #6 | Madera Community College | Madera, CA | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Madera Community College’s Licensed Vocational Nursing program is a public, three-semester certificate with a net price of $4,179, the lowest among ranked schools. The institution-wide graduation rate is 34.6%, and the program is BVNPT-accredited with ongoing application acceptance. Prerequisites include medical terminology and anatomy, and the curriculum emphasizes safe, evidence-based nursing practices in structured healthcare settings.
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| #7 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Riverside City College offers a 12-month Vocational Nursing certificate (with an associate degree track) at a net price of $8,377. The public college has a 36.6% institution-wide graduation rate, and the program is BVNPT and ACEN approved. Admission requires an active CNA certificate and completion of prerequisites; the selective cohort accepts 40–70 students annually. The annual cost of roughly $2,000 makes it one of the most economical paths to LVN licensure.
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The table below compares LVN programs in California that are reachable from the San Diego area. Program lengths are drawn from each school's published materials, while net price estimates reflect average costs after grants and scholarships according to the most recent IPEDS data. Where figures are unavailable, they are marked as N/A.
| School | City | Program Length | Approx. Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chicago School at Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 51 weeks | N/A |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Jose | N/A | $32,427 |
| Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana | 21 months | $49,677 |
| Glendale Career College | Glendale | N/A | $49,195 |
| College of the Redwoods | Eureka | 3 semesters | $6,904 |
| Madera Community College | Madera | 3 semesters | $4,179 |
| Riverside City College | Riverside | 12 months | $8,377 |
Becoming an LVN in San Diego follows a clear step-by-step path. Here's what to expect from application to your first job, typically taking 12 to 18 months.
What NCLEX-PN pass rates can you expect from San Diego LVN programs? The most reliable numbers come from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), which publishes an annual BVNPT Vocational Nursing Program Pass Rates PDF with first-time pass rates for every approved program in the state. For San Diego County, schools like Grossmont Health Occupations Center (El Cajon), MiraCosta College (Oceanside), and Southwestern College Vocational Nursing (Chula Vista) report results across the last five years. Rates for these programs typically fall in the mid-80s to low-90s percent range, on par with or above the statewide average for California LVN programs.1
To put these figures in context, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides an NCSBN NCLEX Pass Rates Dashboard showing national first-time pass rates. Comparing a school's performance against both the state and national benchmarks helps you gauge how well it prepares students for licensure. Cross-checking BVNPT data with school disclosures and NCSBN reports ensures you get a complete, accurate picture before enrolling.
Always verify numbers directly on the BVNPT Licensure Examination Pass Rates page (under Education → Vocational Nursing), as rates change annually and individual school reports may lag. Contacting admissions offices can also fill in any gaps, especially for the most recent test-taker cohorts.
Understanding an LVN salary is about more than a number; it's about whether a San Diego program is worth the tuition. With median state wages well above the national average, local earning power can quickly offset upfront costs.
In the San Diego-Carlsbad metro area, the most recent data (2020) shows a mean annual wage of $65,900 for licensed vocational nurses.1 While the BLS does not publish a local median, California's median for LVNs reached $77,170 in 2024,2 reflecting steady upward pressure.
Statewide wage distributions offer a clearer picture of career progression. In 2024, California LVN earnings at the 10th percentile were $62,390, rising to $68,960 at the 25th percentile, $85,700 at the 75th percentile, and $99,840 at the 90th percentile.2 Hourly rates mapped similarly, with a median of $37.10.2 Because San Diego's cost of living typically commands above-average pay within the state, new graduates can often expect to land above the 25th percentile right away.
San Diego's largest employers of LVNs include hospital networks like UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health, and Sharp HealthCare, as well as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Many of these workplaces offer shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends that can add markedly to base wages. In-home care and per-diem roles may also pay premium rates in tight local markets.
Typical LVN program costs in San Diego range from roughly $3,000 at adult schools to over $30,000 for private diploma tracks. Against the salary data, even the upper end of that range pencils out. A new grad earning the state's 25th-percentile wage of $68,960 could recover a $30,000 tuition in well under a year, especially with disciplined budgeting. This fast payback makes the LVN path a strategic entry point into nursing, often with lower debt than an associate or bachelor's program, a feature of many accredited LVN programs in California.
Earning an RN license as a licensed vocational nurse usually follows one of two tracks: a fast, non-degree 30-unit option or a full associate or bachelor's degree program. Both open doors to higher pay and expanded scope, but they differ in time, cost, and long-term flexibility.
Several San Diego-area community colleges offer a dedicated LVN-to-ADN bridge that can be completed in three semesters. Southwestern College's STEP-UP LVN to ADN is a prime example; current tuition runs roughly $4,144 to $4,432 for all required coursework. San Diego City College's LVN-to-RN Step-Up and MiraCosta College's LVN-RN Nursing Program follow a similar 3-semester format, granting an Associate of Science in Nursing and preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Many local LVN schools maintain articulation agreements or preferred admission pipelines with these ADN programs, making the transition seamless for students who plan ahead.
For those aiming for a bachelor's degree, Point Loma Nazarene University offers an LVN-to-BSN track, though it takes longer and costs more than a community college ADN. Alternatively, National University and San Diego State University run 30-unit options that satisfy California's minimum requirements for RN licensure without awarding a degree. While this is the fastest route to RN eligibility, it may limit advancement in hospitals that prefer or require a degree.
Choosing an LVN program with a direct pathway to an RN bridge can cut a year or more off the total timeline. Before enrolling, verify that the LVN curriculum aligns with bridge prerequisites and that the institution has an active transfer agreement. This early step avoids repeated coursework and positions you to enter an RN program immediately after licensure.
Prospective vocational nursing students often have similar questions about program length, cost, and career outcomes. Here are clear answers to the most common queries about LVN training in San Diego.
California’s Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) approves every LVN program in the state, but NCLEX-PN pass rates vary widely across San Diego-area schools. The right choice balances tuition, program length, and schedule with that track record, and considers whether the school offers an LVN-to-RN bridge later.
The ranking and comparison table above make it easy to shortlist programs by cost, length, and outcomes. Before enrolling, verify the school’s current BVNPT approval status and check the latest first-time NCLEX pass rates directly from the board’s annual report.
