Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 2,692 in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,107/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 73.1x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $69,107 far exceeding the $19,663 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #516 out of 947 programs, South Puget Sound Community College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $69,107/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$69K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
73.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,663
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,862
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from South Puget Sound Community College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Puget Sound 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 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College?
At 82/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For South Puget Sound Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($747,940) and pessimistic ($723,011) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College?
Median debt of just $19,663 against $69,107/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at South Puget Sound Community College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing South Puget Sound Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Nursing graduates from South Puget Sound Community College find jobs?
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 →