Nursing at Columbia Gorge Community College

The Dalles, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 515 students in The Dalles, OR.

Program Analysis

At $78,167 per year, Nursing graduates from Columbia Gorge Community College earn slightly above the $69,474 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 78.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $18,115 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #406 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Columbia Gorge Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $78,167 to $85,693 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
84
Score
84
High End
Earnings $78,167/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$869K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
78.3x
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)
$11,088
Out-of-state: $20,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,115
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,693
10% 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 Columbia Gorge Community College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Columbia Gorge Community College's Nursing program score?
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.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Columbia Gorge Community College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $817,801 in decade earnings vs $868,724 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Columbia Gorge Community College?
Median debt of just $18,115 against $78,167/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Columbia Gorge Community College?
If Columbia Gorge Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
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 Columbia Gorge Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in OR may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →