Nursing at Frederick Community College

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

a smaller institution with 4,116 students in Frederick, MD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $70,649/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 114.8x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $70,649 far exceeding the $8,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #179 of 947 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $84,425 are relatively flat compared to the $70,649 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.

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
87
Score
87
High End
Earnings $70,649/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$870K
4.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
115.4x
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)
$7,544
Out-of-state: $19,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,500
1.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,425
19% 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

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Frederick 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 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Frederick Community College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Frederick Community College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Frederick Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($870,340) and pessimistic ($739,145) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at Frederick Community College?
Median debt of just $8,500 against $70,649/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Frederick Community College rank so high for Nursing?
The #179 ranking out of 947 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Frederick Community College?
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. Frederick 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 →