Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Virginia Western Community College?
At 80/100, the score looks reasonable — but Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Virginia Western Community College?
At $12,789 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration workers?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →