Nursing at Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 540 in Iowa Falls, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,487 place Ellsworth Community College below the $69,474 national median for Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 60.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% 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 $58,487 far exceeding the $9,900 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #655 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Ellsworth Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $58,487 to $63,272 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.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
78
Score
78
High End
Earnings $58,487/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$640K
2.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.3x
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)
$10,608
Out-of-state: $12,624
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,900
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,272
8% 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 Ellsworth Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ellsworth Community College's Nursing program score?
A score of 78/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Ellsworth Community College trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Ellsworth Community College?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Ellsworth Community College, a score of 78/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Ellsworth Community College?
Median debt of just $9,900 against $58,487/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.
Is Ellsworth Community College a good choice for Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Ellsworth Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Ellsworth 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 →