Nursing at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

one of the larger campuses at 20,532 students in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

Palm Beach State College's Nursing program produces graduates earning $67,495/yr — within striking distance of the $69,474 national average for this trade.

With a 126.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,750 in median debt clears fast against $67,495 in annual earnings.

Palm Beach State College ranks #169 among 947 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $67,495 to $76,092 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.

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
87
Score
88
High End
Earnings $67,495/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$775K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
127.1x
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)
$6,100
Out-of-state: $21,820
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,750
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,092
13% 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 Palm Beach State College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Palm Beach State College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Palm Beach State College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Palm Beach State College?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Palm Beach State College's 87/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Palm Beach State College?
Median debt of just $8,750 against $67,495/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Palm Beach State College's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #169 of 947 programs nationally, Palm Beach State College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Palm Beach State College.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Palm Beach State College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →