Nursing at Rio Hondo College

Whittier, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

enrolling 15,365 students in Whittier, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $95,666 put Rio Hondo College's Nursing program 38% above the national median of $69,474 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 398.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Rio Hondo College ranks #32 among 947 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $95,666 to $108,729 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.

91 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
85
Low End
91
Score
92
High End
Earnings $95,666/yr (38% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$1,109K
3.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
399.7x
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)
$2,776
Out-of-state: $19,768
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,729
14% 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

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rio Hondo College's Nursing program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Rio Hondo College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Rio Hondo College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Rio Hondo College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($1,109,499) and pessimistic ($1,000,878) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why does Rio Hondo College rank so high for Nursing?
Among 947 Nursing programs, Rio Hondo College's #32 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Rio Hondo College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Rio Hondo 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 →