Nursing at American River College

Sacramento, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with 25,758 students enrolled in Sacramento, CA.

Program Analysis

At $98,951 per year, Nursing graduates from American River College significantly outpace the $69,474 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 451.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $12,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #6 of 947 Nursing programs nationally, American River College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $114,068 are relatively flat compared to the $98,951 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

91 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
85
Low End
91
Score
92
High End
Earnings $98,951/yr (42% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$1,167K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
453.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,576
Out-of-state: $25,616
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,750
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$114,068
15% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from American River College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at American River College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does American River College's Nursing program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. American River College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At American River College, a score of 91/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from American River College?
At $12,750 in median debt, Nursing graduates from American River College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Why does American River College rank so high for Nursing?
Among 947 Nursing programs, American River College's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing American River College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Nursing graduates from American River College find jobs?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. American River College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →