Nursing at Iowa Western Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 3,029 in Council Bluffs, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,268/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 50.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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 $65,268 far exceeding the $20,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #679 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Iowa Western Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $65,268 to $67,766 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.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
77
Score
77
High End
Earnings $65,268/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$683K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.4x
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)
$13,560
Out-of-state: $13,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,766
4% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa Western 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Iowa Western Community College?
This program scores 77/100 — 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?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Iowa Western Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Iowa Western Community College?
If Iowa Western Community 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 Iowa Western Community College find jobs?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Iowa Western Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →