Nursing at East Central College

Union, MO · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 1,719 students in Union, MO.

Program Analysis

At $62,554/yr, Nursing graduates from East Central College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 89.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $15,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #435 of 947 Nursing programs, East Central College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $68,499 are relatively flat compared to the $62,554 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

83 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
83
Score
84
High End
Earnings $62,554/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$694K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
89.3x
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)
$7,776
Out-of-state: $13,968
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,499
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

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at East Central College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at East Central College?
This program scores 83/100 — 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 East Central College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — East Central College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from East Central College?
Median debt of just $15,000 against $62,554/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 East Central College?
If East Central 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.
Will Nursing graduates from East Central College find jobs?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For East Central College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MO may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →