Nursing at South Arkansas College

El Dorado, AR · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 879 students in El Dorado, AR.

Program Analysis

South Arkansas College's Nursing program produces graduates earning $59,370/yr — within striking distance of the $69,474 national average for this trade.

The 103.5x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,885 in median debt clears fast against $59,370 in annual earnings.

Ranked #355 out of 947 programs, South Arkansas College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $59,370 to $65,549 over five years (10% 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.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $59,370/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$665K
2.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
103.8x
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)
$6,408
Out-of-state: $10,728
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,885
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,549
10% 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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from South Arkansas College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Arkansas College's Nursing program score?
This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from South Arkansas College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For South Arkansas College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($665,332) and pessimistic ($621,141) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at South Arkansas College?
At $10,885 in median debt, Nursing graduates from South Arkansas College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of South Arkansas College?
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.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →