Nursing at Western Nebraska Community College

Scottsbluff, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 948 students in Scottsbluff, NE.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $62,413/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 129.1x 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 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $62,413 far exceeding the $12,498 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #247 out of 947 programs, Western Nebraska Community College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $62,413 to $75,378 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
87
High End
Earnings $62,413/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$779K
4.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
129.8x
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)
$6,000
Out-of-state: $6,720
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,498
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,378
21% 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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Western Nebraska Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Western Nebraska 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 Western Nebraska Community College?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Western Nebraska Community College's 86/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at Western Nebraska Community College?
Median debt of just $12,498 against $62,413/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?
If Western Nebraska Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Western Nebraska 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 →