Nursing at Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

serving 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.

Program Analysis

At $67,850/yr, Nursing graduates from Southern Maine Community College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 96.7x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $13,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #318 out of 947 programs, Southern Maine Community College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $67,850 to $72,849 over five years (7% 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.

85 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
85
Score
86
High End
Earnings $67,850/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$736K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
96.9x
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)
$7,594
Out-of-state: $13,354
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,500
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,849
7% 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 Southern Maine Community 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

Other Majors at Southern Maine Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Maine Community College's Nursing program score?
At 85/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Southern Maine Community College's 85/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Southern Maine Community College?
Median debt of just $13,500 against $67,850/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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Southern Maine Community 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.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Southern Maine Community College?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southern Maine Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in ME may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →