Most important takeaways…
- Pasadena area nurses can access all six major NP specialties, including FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, and AGACNP, within a two hour commute.
- California does not yet require a DNP for practice, but several nearby schools offer BSN to DNP bridge programs.
- NP salaries in the Los Angeles metro reflect strong demand and rank among the highest in the nation.
- Clinical placement models vary widely by school, so confirming site support before enrollment can save months of stress.
Pasadena lies within a one-hour drive of more than a dozen accredited nurse practitioner programs spanning Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. That geographic advantage gives working nurses access to programs across every major NP specialty, from family (FNP) and psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP) to acute care (AGACNP), women's health (WHNP), pediatric (PNP), and adult-gerontology primary care (AGNP). Options include traditional MSN programs, direct-entry BSN-to-DNP pathways, and post-master's certificates for certified NPs adding a second specialty.
Program delivery formats range from fully online with local clinical rotations to campus-hybrid models and weekend cohorts built for shift workers. Tuition varies widely, clinical placement policies differ sharply, and admissions standards reflect each school's mission and capacity. Cost of attendance at private nurse practitioner programs in Los Angeles can exceed $90,000 for a complete MSN program, while California State University campuses in the region often charge less than half that amount for state residents.
California does not yet require a terminal DNP for nurse practitioner practice, but workforce forecasts and employer preferences continue to push enrollment toward doctoral tracks. Median salaries for nurse practitioners in the Los Angeles metro exceed $140,000 annually, though early-career earnings and specialty choice create substantial variation.
NP Programs Near Pasadena, Ranked by Fit for Working Nurses
These are the nurse practitioner programs Southern California nurses most often weigh when they live and work around Pasadena. The list leans toward options that fit a working schedule, where nearby clinical placements, hybrid or online delivery, and part-time pacing all count. A few programs sit well outside the San Gabriel Valley and stay on the list because most of their coursework happens online rather than in a classroom two hours away.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Commute and clinical placement access
- Hybrid and part-time flexibility
- In-state tuition and net price
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
University of California-Los Angeles
UCLA is the closest UC campus to Pasadena with full doctoral nurse practitioner preparation, roughly 25 miles west. Its post-BSN DNP runs three years and offers four nurse practitioner concentrations, with coursework in advanced practice, leadership, evidence-based care, and population health, and the first cohort started in fall 2025. The university's institution-wide graduation rate sits above 90 percent, and admission requires a California RN license, a 3.0 minimum GPA, prerequisite courses, and three letters of recommendation. UCLA also serves as a Southern California training site for the UC-wide psychiatric mental health NP certificate, a 12-month hybrid program for nurses who already hold an advanced practice degree.
- Campus-based, three-year program
- Four specialty options available
- Fall 2025 inaugural cohort
- California RN license required
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants
- CGFNS exam for foreign-educated nurses
- 12-month, 48-unit graduate certificate
- Hybrid format with virtual immersion sessions
- Clinical placements arranged across California
- Virtual classes held on Wednesdays
- About 16 to 24 clinical hours weekly
- Designed for practicing NPs, CNSs, CNMs, and CRNAs
- Prepares graduates for PMHNP-BC certification
- Three-year doctoral program
- Fall start with a December 1 application deadline
- Health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management focus
- One year of RN experience recommended
- Occupational health certificate option available
- One start date per year
- Acute and critical care focus across varied practice settings
- Prerequisite coursework required before enrollment
- CCNE accredited
- One application deadline per year in December
- One year of RN experience strongly recommended
- Emphasis on leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice
- Prerequisites in statistics, nursing research, assessment, and physiology
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
California State University-Long Beach
Cal State Long Beach carries unusual breadth for a public university: master's tracks in family, pediatric primary care, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care, plus doctoral tracks in family, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology practice. The DNP spans three years and 72 units with 1,000 clinical hours and a doctoral project. Clinical partners across Los Angeles and Orange counties put placements within a reasonable drive of Pasadena, and several of the doctoral tracks use hybrid delivery, which helps nurses who cannot be on campus every week.
- CCNE accredited and California Board of Registered Nursing approved
- 30 to 48 units depending on prior coursework
- 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
- Prerequisites include statistics, pathophysiology, and physical assessment
- Culminating project or thesis
- California RN license required
- Pediatric primary care specialty within the MSN
- Culminating options include a thesis, project, or exam
- Prerequisite coursework required before enrollment
- Core courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Specialty clinical courses in adult-gerontology primary care
- Designed for primary care practice with older adults
- Acute care specialty within the adult-gerontology MSN
- Health assessment clinical seminar
- Acute and primary care tracks share core coursework
- College-level statistics prerequisite
- 72-unit, three-year program
- 1,000 clinical practice hours
- Evidence-based doctoral project
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- Offered in a hybrid format
- Psychiatric-mental health across the life span concentration
- 72 total credit hours over three years
- Admission includes an interview and a written essay
- Electives include medical Spanish
- Capstone required
- Available in campus and hybrid formats
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Doctoral project focused on improving patient care
- Work experience required before admission
- Acute care doctoral concentration
- Interview and on-site essay test required
- Employment verification and statement of purpose required
- Doctoral project addresses a practice problem
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of Southern California
USC's family nurse practitioner master's is a hybrid program with two on-campus intensives and clinical placements arranged locally, which keeps it manageable for nurses who work full time in the Los Angeles area. Students choose between a full-time pace of about 21 months and a part-time pace that stretches closer to 33 months. The program reports strong first-time certification pass rates and a curriculum that leans into integrative primary care, and the campus is an easy drive from Pasadena.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- 50 credit hours and 786 clinical hours
- Completed in 21 to 33 months, full time or part time
- Online coursework with two on-campus intensives
- Clinical placements arranged in the local area
- First-time pass rates reported at 92 percent for ANCC and 88 percent for AANP
- Bridge course available for applicants who need it
- Capstone project required
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
California State University-Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton concentrates on women's health, offering a master's in nursing with a women's health care concentration and a combined nurse-midwife and women's health nurse practitioner track. Faculty arrange the clinical placements, and rotations run through outpatient offices, hospitals, and community agencies across the region. Fullerton is about 35 miles from Pasadena, and its clinical network reaches into Los Angeles County, so nurses who already work in the San Gabriel Valley can often stay close to home.
- CCNE accredited
- Advanced practice preparation in women's primary health care across the lifespan
- Clinical placements arranged with faculty
- Rotation settings include outpatient offices, hospitals, and community agencies
- Coursework in research critique, theory application, and ethics
- Focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and vulnerable populations
- Combined nurse-midwife and women's health nurse practitioner preparation
- Faculty support from both CNM and WHNP credentialed instructors
- Training in pregnancy management and newborn care
- Family planning education and well-woman gynecologic care
- Campus-based delivery
Master of Science in Nursing, Women's Health Care Concentration — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse-Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of California-Irvine
UC Irvine offers a hybrid DNP with a family nurse practitioner concentration built around three on-campus intensives, so most of the work happens online while students keep their jobs. The program describes itself as the first UC campus DNP family nurse practitioner track, includes faculty practice clinical rotations, and adds an optional certified nurse educator pathway. Irvine is roughly an hour from Pasadena without traffic, and the campus is also a partner site in the UC-wide psychiatric mental health NP certificate.
- Three-year hybrid program with three on-campus intensives
- First UC campus to launch a DNP family nurse practitioner track
- Faculty practice clinical rotations
- Capstone project required
- Option to add certified nurse educator preparation
- Interprofessional coursework across UC schools
- 12-month hybrid graduate certificate
- Four quarters of full-time study
- Three immersion sessions across summer, fall, and winter
- Virtual Wednesday case conferences
- Clinical placements arranged across California
- Open to licensed nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
University of California-Davis
UC Davis is the administrative home of the UC-wide psychiatric mental health NP certificate, a 12-month, 48-unit hybrid program for nurses who already hold an advanced practice degree, with clinical placements arranged across California so students can often train near home. The campus also runs a hybrid DNP with a family nurse practitioner concentration that requires only a handful of visits and supports rotations near students' communities. Both options are more workable for a Pasadena nurse than the drive to Davis suggests, though travel for immersion sessions is still part of the deal.
- 12-month, 48-unit graduate certificate
- Hybrid format with online courses and virtual immersion sessions
- Clinical placements arranged across California
- Full-time enrollment with 16 to 24 weekly clinical hours
- Open to licensed NPs, CNSs, CNMs, and CRNAs
- Prepares graduates for ANCC board certification
- Three-year hybrid program with synchronous and asynchronous options
- Four on-campus immersion experiences
- Clinical rotations arranged near students' home communities
- Capstone project required
- Applications accepted September through January
- Leadership and policy advocacy training built into the curriculum
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt in Oakland runs its family nurse practitioner master's mostly online, with two on-campus intensives, which makes it a reasonable option for Pasadena nurses who want to keep working while they study. The MSN requires 48 units and roughly 630 clinical hours, offered on a 20-month full-time or 28-month part-time schedule with three start dates a year. The university also offers a psychiatric mental health NP certificate for nurses who already hold a graduate degree and a BSN-to-DNP family track, and it promotes small classes taught by faculty who still practice.
- 48 units, completed in 20 months full time or 28 months part time
- Online coursework with two on-campus intensives
- About 630 clinical hours with clinical coordinator support
- 2.5 minimum GPA and an active RN license
- Three start dates each year with rolling deadlines
- Capstone project required
- Online graduate certificate for nurses who already hold an MSN
- Three tracks: three, four, or six semesters
- One year of RN experience required
- Prepares graduates to sit for the ANCC exam
- Approved for practice in 10 states
- Online classes with two on-campus residencies
- Faculty all hold doctorates and practice as nurse practitioners
- 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Advance Your Practice scholarship available to enrolled students
- Online delivery with three-year completion at full time
- Full-time, part-time, and online options
- Four concentration options across the DNP
- Northern California campuses plus online delivery
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Online
San Jose State University
San Jose State's family nurse practitioner master's is a hybrid cohort program that asks students to attend Tuesday evening classes on campus alongside online coursework and clinical practicum hours. The five-semester sequence requires a BSN, an unrestricted California RN license, and a 3.0 minimum GPA, and it admits once a year in fall. The academics are solid, but the weekly on-campus evening commitment in San Jose is a heavy lift from Pasadena for a nurse who is already working full time.
- CCNE accredited
- Five-semester, full-time cohort
- Hybrid format with Tuesday evening classes on campus
- Clinical practicum courses across two nursing specialty areas
- Fall admission only
- 3.0 GPA minimum and a BSN required
- Unrestricted California RN license required
- Two years of nursing experience preferred
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Touro University California
Touro University California delivers its nurse practitioner certificates almost entirely online, with on-campus intensives a few times a semester in Vallejo, so Pasadena nurses never need to relocate. The family nurse practitioner certificate takes 12 to 18 months for nurses who already hold a graduate degree and includes at least 630 clinical hours with placements arranged for students. A psychiatric mental health certificate runs five semesters with 750 clinical hours across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Both are built for nurses who are already working and want to add a specialty without stepping away from their jobs.
- 12 to 18 months for nurses who already hold a graduate degree
- About 90 percent online, with on-campus intensives 2 to 3 times per semester
- At least 630 clinical hours
- Guaranteed clinical placements
- Summer start with applications accepted year round
- Weekly live online classes
- Five-semester post-master's certificate, about 20 to 22 months
- Hybrid delivery, about 90 percent online
- 750 clinical hours across inpatient and outpatient settings
- Rotations with adult, child, and geriatric populations
- Fall or spring start; graduate degree required
- Elective exposure to emergency and street medicine
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
San Diego State University
San Diego State's doctor of nursing practice offers family, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology primary care concentrations, with full-time and part-time plans and no entrance exam. The school arranges every clinical placement itself, which removes a common headache, but those placements sit in the San Diego region and the program is primarily in person. A Pasadena nurse would be building a life around a long commute, so this program fits better for nurses who plan to move south than for those staying in the San Gabriel Valley. A campus-based master's in adult-gerontology primary care nursing is also available.
- Dual preparation as an adult-gerontology primary care NP and an acute and critical care clinical nurse specialist
- 768 clinical hours
- Prepares graduates for ANCC, AANP, and AACN certification exams
- Campus-based with a dedicated concentration chair and graduate advisor
- No entrance exam required
- Three-year full-time or four-year part-time plans
- 1,000 clinical hours
- School of Nursing arranges all clinical placements
- Primarily in-person classes with some hybrid coursework
- Capstone project and a written statement of purpose required
- 70 to 78 units depending on specialty
- Prepares graduates for the PMHNP-BC exam
- Evidence-based practice project required
- School secures all clinical placements
- Two years of RN experience required
- Statistics prerequisite with a C or better
- Prepares graduates for the AGPCNP-BC exam
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
NP Specialties Available in the Pasadena Metro: FNP, PMHNP, AGNP & More
Which nurse practitioner specialty should you pursue, and which programs near Pasadena offer it?
The Pasadena area and wider Southern California region support all six major NP specialties, though availability and delivery format vary. Programs within commuting distance of Pasadena include concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).
Family Nurse Practitioner: The Most Widely Available Track
FNP programs are the most accessible option for Pasadena-area nurses. Schools including UCLA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton, San Jose State, Cal State LA, Azusa Pacific, Point Loma Nazarene, Concordia Irvine, and USC all offer FNP tracks within a reasonable drive. This concentration prepares nurses to provide primary care across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults, making it the broadest and most versatile specialty. Clinical rotations typically span family medicine, pediatrics, and women's health, and graduates are eligible for AANP or ANCC board certification.
PMHNP: Growing Demand in the LA Metro
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs are expanding rapidly to meet mental health workforce shortages. The UC system's multi-campus PMHNP certificate, offered collaboratively by UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, and UCSF, is a 12-month hybrid program designed for currently licensed nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists who want to add psychiatric mental health certification. Vanguard University in Costa Mesa also offers an 18-month online PMHNP certificate. This specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders, prescribing psychotropic medications, and providing psychotherapy for individuals and families.
AGNP, PNP, WHNP & AGACNP: Specialty-Specific Tracks
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP programs prepare nurses to manage chronic conditions and wellness care for adults and older adults; San Diego State's Imperial Valley campus and other regional schools offer this concentration. Cal State Fullerton provides a Women's Health Care track with both WHNP and dual WHNP/Nurse-Midwife emphasis options. Cal State LA offers a Post-Master's certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP for nurses seeking to work in intensive care or hospitalist settings. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner concentrations are available through Loma Linda University's DNP program, which focuses on preventive care for children and adolescents.
Nearby nurse practitioner programs in Irvine California at Concordia and UC Irvine add even more options for Pasadena-area nurses willing to commute south along the 5 Freeway. Less common specialties may require a longer commute, enrollment in an online or hybrid program, or a Post-Master's certificate pathway if you already hold an MSN in another concentration. The UC PMHNP certificate and similar programs allow practicing NPs to add a second certification in 12 to 18 months, a flexible option for nurses who want to pivot or expand their scope of practice without repeating core graduate coursework.
MSN, DNP & Post-Master's Certificate Pathways Compared
BSN-prepared nurses typically enter an MSN or a BSN-to-DNP bridge program, while certified NPs who want to add a new specialty often choose a post-master's certificate. California does not yet require a DNP for NP practice, but many Southern California programs are already transitioning to doctoral-level curricula, so the choice you make now could shape your options for years to come.
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Tuition, Net Price & Return on Investment Across Nearby NP Programs
The table below compares published tuition, median graduate debt, and median earnings ten years after enrollment for NP programs accessible to Pasadena area nurses. Keep in mind that tuition figures reflect institution-wide rates; your actual cost will depend on the number of credit hours your specific NP track requires, financial aid, and employer tuition reimbursement. Net price figures are available only for public universities and reflect undergraduate averages, so graduate students should contact each school's financial aid office for a more tailored estimate.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (Public) | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10 Yr) | Student-to-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal State LA | $8,688 | $18,768 | $3,967 | $13,000 | $59,211 | 21:1 |
| CSU Stanislaus | $9,766 | $19,846 | $6,067 | $13,540 | $63,188 | 18:1 |
| CSU Fullerton | $8,994 | $19,074 | $6,555 | $13,750 | $62,951 | 26:1 |
| San Jose State University | $9,934 | $20,014 | $13,760 | $15,000 | $78,988 | 25:1 |
| UC Davis | $15,141 | $30,243 | $14,741 | $13,000 | $80,838 | 22:1 |
| UC Irvine | $14,827 | $29,929 | $14,251 | $15,000 | $80,735 | 19:1 |
| UCLA | $14,476 | $29,578 | $12,548 | $14,000 | $82,511 | 20:1 |
| Touro University California | $33,867 | $33,867 | N/A | $12,500 | $104,805 | 3:1 |
| Samuel Merritt University | $49,786 | $49,786 | N/A | $20,825 | $143,238 | 5:1 |
| USC | $71,515 | $71,515 | $32,740 | $18,000 | $92,498 | 9:1 |
Clinical Placement Logistics in the San Gabriel Valley & Greater LA
Securing clinical placements is often the biggest logistical challenge NP students face, and the question of who finds those sites (you or the school) can shape your entire experience. Understanding each program's placement model before you enroll saves months of frustration down the road.
School-Arranged vs. Self-Placement Models
NP programs in and around Pasadena split into two broad categories. Some schools coordinate nurse practitioner clinical rotations on your behalf through established partnerships with healthcare systems and preceptors. Others require you to identify and secure your own clinical sites, with faculty approval needed before you begin.1 A few programs blend both approaches, arranging placements for students near campus while expecting those in outlying areas to self-place at faculty-approved sites. Contact the clinical placement offices at schools you are considering, such as Azusa Pacific University or West Coast University, and ask directly which model applies to you. Official program handbooks and admissions pages on each school's website typically spell out placement policies in detail.
Healthcare Systems to Know
The San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles region offer a deep pool of potential clinical training sites. Huntington Health in Pasadena, Kaiser Permanente's Pasadena Medical Center, and a network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) throughout the valley all host NP students in various specialties. Reaching out to the clinical education departments at these systems can help you confirm which NP programs they currently affiliate with and whether they accept students from out-of-state online programs. Keep in mind that California's Board of Registered Nursing requires prior Board approval before students enrolled in out-of-state nursing programs can complete clinical hours in the state, so verify that requirement early if your program is headquartered elsewhere.2
Networking for Placement Support
Professional organizations can be an underused resource when navigating placement logistics. The California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP) offers local chapter events and nurse practitioner networking opportunities where you can connect with practicing NPs who may serve as preceptors. If you are enrolled in an online program and need to arrange local clinical placements, building these relationships well before your rotations begin gives you a head start, especially under a self-placement model. Fellow students in online cohorts often share leads on preceptor availability in specific ZIP codes, so staying active in your program's student community pays dividends as well.
NP Salary & Job Outlook in the Pasadena Metro
Nurse practitioners in the Los Angeles metro area, which includes Pasadena and surrounding cities, earn strong salaries that reflect both the region's high cost of living and robust demand for advanced practice providers. The table below compares NP wages to registered nurse and nursing faculty salaries locally, along with NP earnings in other major California metros. With roughly 6,400 NPs employed across the LA metro, the market is sizable and continues to grow as California expands full practice authority.
| Role or Metro Area | Total Employed | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | Mean Salary | 75th Percentile Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners, LA Metro | 6,400 | $140,230 | $164,510 | $165,030 | $184,670 |
| Registered Nurses, LA Metro | 107,340 | $108,150 | $133,440 | $138,010 | $165,290 |
| Nursing Faculty, LA Metro | 2,530 | $63,700 | $91,310 | $93,260 | $112,150 |
| NPs, San Francisco Metro | 2,960 | $170,370 | $220,330 | $208,480 | $234,120 |
| NPs, San Diego Metro | 2,790 | $130,880 | $162,030 | $159,590 | $181,030 |
| NPs, Riverside / San Bernardino Metro | 1,630 | $135,290 | $162,470 | $162,210 | $194,440 |
| NPs, Sacramento Metro | 1,200 | $141,660 | $164,520 | $168,790 | $210,340 |
| NPs, Bakersfield Metro | 360 | $147,990 | $165,460 | $168,180 | $182,140 |
| NPs, Oxnard / Ventura Metro | 270 | $134,580 | $155,440 | $152,140 | $166,190 |
