Nursing at Southside College of Health Sciences

Colonial Heights, VA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 91 students in Colonial Heights, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $75,357 at Southside College of Health Sciences come in 8% above the national median of $69,474 for Nursing programs.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $75,357 far exceeding the $11,947 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #737 out of 947 programs, Southside College of Health Sciences's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $75,357 to $78,393 over five years (4% 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $75,357/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$788K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$11,947
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,393
4% 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

Other Majors at Southside College of Health Sciences

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 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Southside College of Health Sciences?
At 74/100, 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.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $788,402 in decade earnings vs $788,402 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Southside College of Health Sciences?
Median debt of just $11,947 against $75,357/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.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Southside College of Health Sciences?
If Southside College of Health Sciences's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Southside College of Health Sciences 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 →