Nursing at Virginia Western Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 3,777 in Roanoke, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $64,052 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 63.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,789 in median debt against $64,052 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #616 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Virginia Western Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $64,052 to $66,295 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.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
80
Score
80
High End
Earnings $64,052/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$670K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.7x
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)
$10,512
Out-of-state: $22,518
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,789
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,295
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

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 Western 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Virginia Western Community College?
At 80/100, 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.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Virginia Western Community College?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Virginia Western Community College's 80/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at Virginia Western Community College?
At $12,789 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Virginia Western Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Virginia Western Community College?
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 Virginia Western Community College?
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 →