Nursing at Northwest Shoals Community College

Muscle Shoals, AL · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 1,924 in Muscle Shoals, AL.

Program Analysis

At $56,177 per year, Nursing graduates from Northwest Shoals Community College earn below the $69,474 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 59.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $11,900 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #678 out of 947 programs, Northwest Shoals Community College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $56,177 to $59,696 over five years (6% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
77
Score
78
High End
Earnings $56,177/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$602K
1.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.4x
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)
$10,142
Out-of-state: $17,762
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,900
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,696
6% 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

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest Shoals 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

How does Northwest Shoals Community College's Nursing program score?
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.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Northwest Shoals Community College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Northwest Shoals Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($602,083) and pessimistic ($587,736) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Median debt of just $11,900 against $56,177/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 you still earn well with Nursing from Northwest Shoals Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Northwest Shoals Community College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Northwest Shoals Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Northwest Shoals Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in AL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →