Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a mid-sized student body of 13,869 in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,629 at Pima Community College come in 6% above the national median of $69,474 for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs.

With a 168.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $73,629 far exceeding the $12,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #77 of 947 programs, this Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $73,629 to $79,158 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

89 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
84
Low End
89
Score
90
High End
Earnings $73,629/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$800K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
168.7x
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)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $15,372
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,125
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,158
8% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Pima Community College?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Should I worry about AI if I study Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $770,323 in decade earnings vs $799,857 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Pima Community College?
At $12,125 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Pima Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
The career paths mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →