Nursing at American River College
with 25,758 students enrolled in Sacramento, CA.
Program Analysis
At $98,951 per year, Nursing graduates from American River College significantly outpace the $69,474 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 451.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $12,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #6 of 947 Nursing programs nationally, American River College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.
Five-year earnings of $114,068 are relatively flat compared to the $98,951 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Nursing Career Guide
See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from American River College and 946 other schools.
Compare & Explore
Nursing Overview
Nursing at Other Schools
Other Majors at American River College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.