Nursing at Northern Oklahoma College

Tonkawa, OK · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 1,865 students in Tonkawa, OK.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $57,846/yr fall 17% below the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 61.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $13,433 in median debt against $57,846 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #674 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Northern Oklahoma College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
78
Score
79
High End
Earnings $57,846/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$58K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,122
Out-of-state: $23,652
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,433
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,527
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Northern Oklahoma College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northern Oklahoma College's Nursing program score?
A score of 78/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Northern Oklahoma College trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Northern Oklahoma College?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Northern Oklahoma College, a score of 78/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Northern Oklahoma College?
At $13,433 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Northern Oklahoma College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Nursing earnings lower at Northern Oklahoma College?
Lower starting pay at Northern Oklahoma College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Northern Oklahoma College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Northern Oklahoma College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Northern Oklahoma College?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →