Nursing at Blue Ridge Community College

Flat Rock, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 1,788 in Flat Rock, NC.

Program Analysis

At $62,192/yr, Nursing graduates from Blue Ridge Community College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 122.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $15,603 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #259 out of 947 programs, Blue Ridge Community College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $62,192 to $65,062 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
86
High End
Earnings $62,192/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$655K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
123.1x
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)
$5,320
Out-of-state: $17,608
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,603
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,062
5% 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

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Blue Ridge Community 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Blue Ridge Community College?
A score of 86/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Blue Ridge Community 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 Blue Ridge Community College, a score of 86/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Blue Ridge Community College?
At $15,603 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Blue Ridge Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Blue Ridge Community College.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Blue Ridge Community 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 →