Nursing at Indian Hills Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 1,635 in Ottumwa, IA.

Program Analysis

At $56,923 per year, Nursing graduates from Indian Hills Community College earn below the $69,474 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 64.9x 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 $17,334 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #626 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Indian Hills Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $56,923 to $62,490 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.

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
79
Score
79
High End
Earnings $56,923/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$634K
2.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.0x
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)
$9,744
Out-of-state: $12,240
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,334
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,490
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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Indian Hills Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indian Hills Community 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 Indian Hills Community College?
This program scores 79/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Indian Hills Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($633,651) and pessimistic ($595,540) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Is Indian Hills Community College a good choice for Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Indian Hills Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Indian Hills 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. Indian Hills 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 →