Nursing at Virginia Highlands Community College

Abingdon, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 1,335 students in Abingdon, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,848 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 76.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #512 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Virginia Highlands Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $65,848 to $73,350 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $65,848/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$746K
2.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
76.7x
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)
$9,726
Out-of-state: $21,732
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,350
11% 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

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Virginia Highlands Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Virginia Highlands Community College?
This program scores 82/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Virginia Highlands Community College?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Virginia Highlands Community College, a score of 82/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
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 Virginia Highlands Community College.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Virginia Highlands Community College?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Virginia Highlands Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →