Nursing at Kirtland Community College

Grayling, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 965 in Grayling, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $67,468 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 71.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 1% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $17,000 in median debt against $67,468 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #484 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Kirtland Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $67,468 to $70,550 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.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
82
Score
82
High End
Earnings $67,468/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$710K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.3x
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)
$9,960
Out-of-state: $18,780
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,550
5% 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 Kirtland Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Kirtland Community College?
A score of 82/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Kirtland 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 Kirtland Community College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Kirtland Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($709,816) and pessimistic ($705,865) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Kirtland Community College?
Median debt of just $17,000 against $67,468/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Kirtland Community College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Kirtland Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Kirtland Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →