Nursing at Western Oklahoma State College

Altus, OK · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 774 students in Altus, OK.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,489 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 66.8x 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 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $10,500 in median debt against $60,489 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #610 out of 947 programs, Western Oklahoma State College's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $60,489 to $71,156 over five years (18% 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.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
80
Score
80
High End
Earnings $60,489/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$731K
4.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.1x
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)
$10,892
Out-of-state: $19,236
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,500
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,156
18% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Oklahoma State College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Oklahoma State College's Nursing program score?
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 Western Oklahoma State College?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Western Oklahoma State College's 80/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at Western Oklahoma State College?
Median debt of just $10,500 against $60,489/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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
If Western Oklahoma State 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.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
The career paths mapped to Nursing have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →