Nursing at Southwestern Michigan College

Dowagiac, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 1,396 in Dowagiac, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $64,034 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 67.9x 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 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $16,981 in median debt against $64,034 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #544 out of 947 programs, Southwestern Michigan College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $64,034 to $79,257 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
81
Score
81
High End
Earnings $64,034/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$824K
5.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.3x
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)
$12,052
Out-of-state: $15,700
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,981
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,257
24% 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 Southwestern Michigan College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southwestern Michigan College's Nursing program score?
At 81/100, 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 $669,936 in decade earnings vs $823,564 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Southwestern Michigan College?
At $16,981 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Southwestern Michigan College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Southwestern Michigan College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Southwestern Michigan College.
Will Nursing graduates from Southwestern Michigan College find jobs?
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 →