Nursing at Roane State Community College

Harriman, TN · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 3,203 students in Harriman, TN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $56,446 place Roane State Community College below the $69,474 national median for Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 73.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $56,446 far exceeding the $11,685 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #612 of 947 Nursing programs, Roane State Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $56,446 to $68,110 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
80
Score
81
High End
Earnings $56,446/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$704K
4.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
73.9x
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)
$9,524
Out-of-state: $37,244
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,685
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,110
21% 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

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 Roane State 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 does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Roane State Community College?
A score of 80/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Roane State Community College trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Roane State Community College?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Roane State Community College's 80/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at Roane State Community College?
Median debt of just $11,685 against $56,446/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.
Is Roane State Community College a good choice for Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Roane State Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
Beyond Roane State Community College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Nursing have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →