Unitek College Named Only Private Institution in California to Make Top 25 in Golden Returns Study

Two campuses earn recognition for delivering strong return on investment to students

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitek College has been recognized in the newly released Golden Returns study as the only private for-profit institution in California to make the Top 25 list of colleges delivering a strong return on investment (ROI) for students. The study, conducted by College Futures Foundation and The HEA Group, evaluated 327 two-year institutions across the state and ranked schools by how quickly students recoup their educational costs.

Two Unitek College California campuses — Hayward and South San Francisco — earned places among the state's top performers.

"This recognition truly reflects the achievements of our students," said Jeff Conlon, CEO of Unitek Learning, parent company of Unitek College. "When our graduates step into meaningful careers in nursing and healthcare, they not only see a rapid return on their education investment but also play a vital role in strengthening local healthcare systems and addressing California's ongoing nursing shortage."

The Golden Returns study highlights sharp differences in ROI across California institutions:

• Nearly 40% of public colleges, all with state-subsidized tuition, allow students to recoup their investment in under a year.
• Only 5% of private institutions, who don't benefit from state subsidies, achieve the same standard.
• Unitek College was the only private institution in California to break into the Top 25, with two campuses recognized.

Unitek's programs in nursing and healthcare are designed to address urgent workforce shortages while ensuring graduates are prepared to enter high-demand fields with strong earning potential.

"Just as our recent recognition from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), where Unitek College ranked #2 & #3 for a 10-year return on investment out of 4,600 colleges, this study reaffirms the value we deliver," said Conlon. "Our graduates and their families benefit from that return, while communities and healthcare systems gain the skilled professionals they urgently need."

The Golden Returns study, released in August 2025, was created to give students, families, and policymakers transparent data on which colleges provide actual economic value.

About Unitek Learning
Unitek Learning is the parent company of leading healthcare education institutions, including Unitek College, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, Brookline College, and Unitek EMT. Unitek equips students with the clinical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to succeed in today's healthcare environment. Through Unitek Workforce Solutions, the organization also partners with hospitals and health systems to build sustainable pipelines for aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals, helping strengthen their workforce for years to come.

SOURCE Unitek Learning