Nursing at Centra College

Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Centra College accepts 100% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 212 in Lynchburg, VA.

Program Analysis

Centra College's Nursing program produces graduates earning $68,582/yr — within striking distance of the $69,474 national average for this trade.

The 30.2x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,250 in median debt clears fast against $68,582 in annual earnings.

At #803 out of 947 programs, Centra College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $68,582/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$69K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
30.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$24,526
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,250
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,221
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Centra College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Centra College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Centra College?
This program scores 72/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Centra College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Centra College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($742,258) and pessimistic ($717,518) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at Centra College?
At $15,250 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Centra College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
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 Centra College.
Will Nursing graduates from Centra College find jobs?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Centra College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →