Nursing at Clark College

Vancouver, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 4,699 in Vancouver, WA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,543/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 90.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $63,543 far exceeding the $9,823 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #399 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Clark College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 27% earnings increase from $63,543 to $80,943 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
84
Score
84
High End
Earnings $63,543/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$847K
6.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.4x
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)
$9,264
Out-of-state: $20,760
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,823
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,943
27% 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 Clark College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clark College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Clark College?
This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Clark College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Clark College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Nursing at Clark College?
Median debt of just $9,823 against $63,543/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Clark College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Clark College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Clark College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →