Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 1,032 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Strong payoff
+$236,241 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
Observed earnings clearly outpace the comparison earnings and estimated education cost in this scenario.
3.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
+209%Modeled 10-year ROI
$79,954Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$79,954Median reported earnings · year 4
$76,071Average reported earnings · year 5
$20,838Median federal debt
96thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
1,032Reporting programs
1,007With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $80,951
- Federal debt
- $24,750
- Reporting programs
- 69
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $79,954
- Federal debt
- $20,838
- Reporting programs
- 1,032
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $86,259
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 1,053
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $142,075
- Federal debt
- $24,159
- Reporting programs
- 6
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $120,338
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 447
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $135,560
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 127
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $135,340
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 31
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $128,518
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 38
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $109,913
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$74,464National median$79,95475th percentile$87,103
1,007 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Chabot College$163,6412Contra Costa College$160,7433Unitek College$150,7894Mission College$147,9655College of Marin$147,8056College of San Mateo$144,7947Evergreen Valley College$140,5128San Joaquin Delta College$140,1309Merritt College$138,29110Carrington College-Sacramento$137,935Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1072 · 22 crosswalk linksRegistered NursesSOC 29-1141 · 21 crosswalk linksNurse PractitionersSOC 29-1171 · 20 crosswalk linksMedical and Health Services ManagersSOC 11-9111 · 3 crosswalk linksNurse AnesthetistsSOC 29-1151 · 1 crosswalk linksNurse MidwivesSOC 29-1161 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chabot CollegeAssociate's Degree | Hayward, CA | $163,641 | $14,122 | +997% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Contra Costa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Pablo, CA | $160,743 | $12,125 | +962% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Unitek CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fremont, CA | $150,789 | $27,113 | +654% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Mission CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Clara, CA | $147,965 | $17,223 | +928% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | College of MarinAssociate's Degree | Kentfield, CA | $147,805 | $22,125 | +796% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | College of San MateoAssociate's Degree | San Mateo, CA | $144,794 | $12,831 | +996% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | Evergreen Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $140,512 | $12,981 | +732% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | San Joaquin Delta CollegeAssociate's Degree | Stockton, CA | $140,130 | Not available | +903% | Strong payoff |
| 9 | Merritt CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oakland, CA | $138,291 | $11,500 | +690% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | Carrington College-SacramentoAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $137,935 | $35,740 | +438% | Strong payoff |
| 11 | Montefiore School of NursingAssociate's Degree | Mount Vernon, NY | $133,065 | $26,125 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 12 | Los Medanos CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pittsburg, CA | $131,467 | Not available | +724% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | Hartnell CollegeAssociate's Degree | Salinas, CA | $131,440 | Not available | +819% | Strong payoff |
| 14 | Sierra CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rocklin, CA | $128,780 | $20,865 | +702% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | Gavilan CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gilroy, CA | $128,491 | Not available | +710% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | Modesto Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Modesto, CA | $126,345 | $11,279 | +751% | Strong payoff |
| 17 | Sacramento City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $123,978 | $18,451 | +665% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $122,671 | $16,529 | +666% | Strong payoff |
| 19 | American River CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $122,386 | $20,341 | +630% | Strong payoff |
| 20 | Pacific Union CollegeAssociate's Degree | Angwin, CA | $122,041 | $27,000 | +348% | Strong payoff |
| 21 | Solano Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fairfield, CA | $121,175 | $10,500 | +667% | Strong payoff |
| 22 | California Career CollegeAssociate's Degree | Canoga Park, CA | $120,699 | $26,331 | +312% | Strong payoff |
| 23 | Moorpark CollegeAssociate's Degree | Moorpark, CA | $120,404 | $17,075 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 24 | Career Networks InstituteAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $120,211 | $33,486 | +297% | Strong payoff |
| 25 | Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $118,765 | $25,266 | +376% | Strong payoff |
| 26 | Merced CollegeAssociate's Degree | Merced, CA | $118,723 | $12,750 | +637% | Strong payoff |
| 27 | Santa Rosa Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Rosa, CA | $118,471 | $14,700 | +616% | Strong payoff |
| 28 | Mendocino CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ukiah, CA | $118,469 | Not available | +589% | Strong payoff |
| 29 | St Paul's School of Nursing-QueensAssociate's Degree | Rego Park, NY | $118,259 | $32,771 | +414% | Strong payoff |
| 30 | Cochran School of NursingAssociate's Degree | Yonkers, NY | $117,883 | $26,758 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 31 | Clover Park Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lakewood, WA | $116,970 | Not available | +556% | Strong payoff |
| 32 | Nassau Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Garden City, NY | $116,858 | $18,235 | +590% | Strong payoff |
| 33 | Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $116,662 | $14,833 | +525% | Strong payoff |
| 34 | Swedish Institute a College of Health SciencesAssociate's Degree | New York, NY | $116,531 | $34,750 | +379% | Strong payoff |
| 35 | Helene Fuld College of NursingAssociate's Degree | New York, NY | $116,303 | $27,775 | +287% | Strong payoff |
| 36 | Yuba CollegeAssociate's Degree | Marysville, CA | $116,142 | $8,729 | +648% | Strong payoff |
| 37 | College of Staten Island CUNYAssociate's Degree | Staten Island, NY | $115,848 | $17,391 | +600% | Strong payoff |
| 38 | Baltimore City Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $115,663 | $10,850 | +479% | Strong payoff |
| 39 | Coalinga CollegeAssociate's Degree | Coalinga, CA | $115,192 | $13,350 | +533% | Strong payoff |
| 40 | CUNY New York City College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $115,112 | $9,000 | +599% | Strong payoff |
| 41 | Los Angeles City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $115,035 | $13,993 | +534% | Strong payoff |
| 42 | Los Angeles Harbor CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wilmington, CA | $114,575 | $16,352 | +497% | Strong payoff |
| 43 | CUNY Queensborough Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bayside, NY | $114,093 | $17,675 | +599% | Strong payoff |
| 44 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaAssociate's Degree | Visalia, CA | $113,944 | $22,750 | +373% | Strong payoff |
| 45 | San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioAssociate's Degree | Ontario, CA | $113,944 | $22,750 | +379% | Strong payoff |
| 46 | San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageAssociate's Degree | Rancho Mirage, CA | $113,944 | $22,750 | +371% | Strong payoff |
| 47 | Rio Hondo CollegeAssociate's Degree | Whittier, CA | $113,902 | $15,510 | +480% | Strong payoff |
| 48 | Southwestern CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chula Vista, CA | $113,302 | $10,616 | +492% | Strong payoff |
| 49 | The College of Health Care Professions-NorthwestAssociate's Degree | Houston, TX | $113,302 | $41,659 | +369% | Strong payoff |
| 50 | San Diego City CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $113,244 | Not available | +545% | Strong payoff |
| 51 | Ventura CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ventura, CA | $112,999 | $20,250 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 52 | Cuesta CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $112,730 | $18,958 | +493% | Strong payoff |
| 53 | Kapiolani Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $112,628 | $16,168 | +574% | Strong payoff |
| 54 | Passaic County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Paterson, NJ | $112,489 | Not available | +540% | Strong payoff |
| 55 | American Career College-Los AngelesAssociate's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $112,037 | $34,498 | +333% | Strong payoff |
| 56 | CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Island City, NY | $111,512 | $10,632 | +551% | Strong payoff |
| 57 | CUNY Bronx Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bronx, NY | $110,975 | $17,444 | +567% | Strong payoff |
| 58 | College of the SiskiyousAssociate's Degree | Weed, CA | $110,965 | $15,625 | +488% | Strong payoff |
| 59 | Citrus CollegeAssociate's Degree | Glendora, CA | $110,694 | Not available | +569% | Strong payoff |
| 60 | Prince George's Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Largo, MD | $110,588 | $18,500 | +511% | Strong payoff |
| 61 | Lemoore CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lemoore, CA | $110,533 | $14,000 | +487% | Strong payoff |
| 62 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityAssociate's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $109,938 | $23,333 | +389% | Strong payoff |
| 63 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $109,457 | $13,718 | +526% | Strong payoff |
| 64 | Monroe UniversityAssociate's Degree | Bronx, NY | $109,287 | $23,003 | +440% | Strong payoff |
| 65 | University of Hawaii Maui CollegeAssociate's Degree | Kahului, HI | $108,217 | $11,577 | +496% | Strong payoff |
| 66 | Cerritos CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norwalk, CA | $108,092 | $16,332 | +565% | Strong payoff |
| 67 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New York, NY | $107,534 | $15,990 | +526% | Strong payoff |
| 68 | Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied HealthAssociate's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $107,508 | $19,224 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 69 | Glendale Career CollegeAssociate's Degree | Glendale, CA | $107,406 | $33,049 | +231% | Strong payoff |
| 70 | North-West College-San DiegoAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $107,406 | $33,049 | +241% | Strong payoff |
| 71 | Glendale Career College-North-West College-BakersfieldAssociate's Degree | Bakersfield, CA | $107,406 | $33,049 | +222% | Strong payoff |
| 72 | Glendale Career College-North-West College-MFSONAssociate's Degree | West Covina, CA | $107,406 | $33,049 | +245% | Strong payoff |
| 73 | Pasadena City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, CA | $107,357 | $12,834 | +538% | Strong payoff |
| 74 | Butte CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oroville, CA | $107,202 | $15,375 | +516% | Strong payoff |
| 75 | Los Angeles Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Valley Glen, CA | $106,980 | $10,887 | +442% | Strong payoff |
| 76 | Renton Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Renton, WA | $106,906 | $18,582 | +481% | Strong payoff |
| 77 | Stanbridge UniversityAssociate's Degree | Irvine, CA | $106,807 | $36,666 | +242% | Strong payoff |
| 78 | College of the DesertAssociate's Degree | Palm Desert, CA | $106,782 | $13,806 | +409% | Strong payoff |
| 79 | Shasta CollegeAssociate's Degree | Redding, CA | $106,707 | $15,000 | +544% | Strong payoff |
| 80 | Riverside City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Riverside, CA | $106,618 | $11,000 | +477% | Strong payoff |
| 81 | Fresno City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fresno, CA | $106,504 | $8,000 | +479% | Strong payoff |
| 82 | Chemeketa Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Salem, OR | $106,187 | $24,018 | +475% | Strong payoff |
| 83 | Dutchess Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Poughkeepsie, NY | $105,801 | $21,868 | +452% | Strong payoff |
| 84 | Sumner CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $105,785 | $35,404 | +308% | Strong payoff |
| 85 | Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Selden, NY | $105,740 | $17,250 | +504% | Strong payoff |
| 86 | Essex County CollegeAssociate's Degree | Newark, NJ | $105,634 | $20,430 | +513% | Strong payoff |
| 87 | Roxbury Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Roxbury Crossing, MA | $104,965 | $14,250 | +424% | Strong payoff |
| 88 | Los Angeles Pierce CollegeAssociate's Degree | Woodland Hills, CA | $104,727 | $12,852 | +413% | Strong payoff |
| 89 | Golden West CollegeAssociate's Degree | Huntington Beach, CA | $104,521 | $21,500 | +497% | Strong payoff |
| 90 | CUNY Kingsborough Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $104,210 | $8,475 | +485% | Strong payoff |
| 91 | Atlanta Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $103,831 | $47,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 92 | Rockland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Suffern, NY | $103,785 | $18,003 | +422% | Strong payoff |
| 93 | Bakersfield CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bakersfield, CA | $103,477 | $9,419 | +390% | Strong payoff |
| 94 | UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyAssociate's Degree | Cranford, NJ | $103,289 | $30,195 | +447% | Strong payoff |
| 95 | Shoreline CollegeAssociate's Degree | Shoreline, WA | $103,082 | $16,334 | +442% | Strong payoff |
| 96 | CUNY Hostos Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bronx, NY | $102,972 | $11,433 | +476% | Strong payoff |
| 97 | Rogue Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Grants Pass, OR | $102,957 | $20,950 | +417% | Strong payoff |
| 98 | Blue Mountain Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pendleton, OR | $102,910 | $25,221 | +398% | Strong payoff |
| 99 | St Paul's School of Nursing-Staten IslandAssociate's Degree | Staten Island, NY | $102,906 | $30,313 | +259% | Strong payoff |
| 100 | East Los Angeles CollegeAssociate's Degree | Monterey Park, CA | $101,954 | $14,834 | +410% | Strong payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.