Nursing at College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 4,422 in La Plata, MD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,576/yr, edging above the $69,474 national average for Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 91.6x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $9,900 in median debt against $73,576 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #319 out of 947 programs, College of Southern Maryland's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $73,576 to $75,040 over five years (2% 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.

85 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
85
Score
86
High End
Earnings $73,576/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$770K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.6x
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)
$8,400
Out-of-state: $18,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,900
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,040
2% 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 College of Southern Maryland and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of Southern Maryland

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does College of Southern Maryland's Nursing program score?
This program scores 85/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. College of Southern Maryland's 85/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at College of Southern Maryland?
At $9,900 in median debt, Nursing graduates from College of Southern Maryland carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at College of Southern Maryland?
Beyond College of Southern Maryland's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. College of Southern Maryland 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 →