Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Centra College?
This program scores 72/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Centra College?
At $15,250 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Centra College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →