Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Indian Hills Community College?
This program scores 79/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers?
AI won't 'replace' Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Is Indian Hills Community College a good choice for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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.
Can I learn Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →