Nursing at Ventura College

Ventura, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

enrolling 9,971 students in Ventura, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $99,778 put Ventura College's Nursing program 44% above the national median of $69,474 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 368.6x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $99,778 far exceeding the $17,523 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #39 out of 947 programs, Ventura College's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $99,778 to $100,793 over five years (1% 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.

91 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
85
Low End
91
Score
92
High End
Earnings $99,778/yr (44% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$1,044K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
368.6x
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)
$2,832
Out-of-state: $16,358
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,523
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,793
1% 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

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

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ventura College's Nursing program score?
At 91/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $1,043,899 in decade earnings vs $1,043,899 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Ventura College?
Median debt of just $17,523 against $99,778/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.
Is Ventura College one of the best schools for Nursing?
The #39 ranking out of 947 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Ventura College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Ventura College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
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 →