Nursing at Durham Technical Community College

Durham, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 3,195 students in Durham, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $66,430/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 189.1x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $66,430 far exceeding the $13,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #98 ranking out of 947 Nursing programs nationally puts Durham Technical Community College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $66,430 to $74,092 over five years (12% 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.

89 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
89
Score
89
High End
Earnings $66,430/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$753K
2.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
189.7x
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)
$3,972
Out-of-state: $13,188
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,092
12% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Durham Technical Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 89/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Durham Technical Community College?
This program scores 89/100 — 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?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $695,005 in decade earnings vs $753,408 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Durham Technical Community College?
Median debt of just $13,000 against $66,430/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 Durham Technical Community College?
Beyond Durham Technical Community College'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.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Durham Technical Community College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Durham Technical Community College 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 →