Nursing at Tacoma Community College

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

a smaller institution with 4,248 students in Tacoma, WA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $82,447/yr, edging above the $69,474 national average for Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 90.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $13,000 in median debt against $82,447 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #284 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Tacoma Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
86
High End
Earnings $82,447/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$82K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
90.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $22,060
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,839
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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tacoma Community 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 Tacoma Community College's Nursing program score?
At 86/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Tacoma Community College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Tacoma Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($892,320) and pessimistic ($862,577) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Nursing at Tacoma Community College?
Median debt of just $13,000 against $82,447/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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
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 Tacoma Community College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Tacoma Community College 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 →