Nursing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Asheville, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 4,909 students in Asheville, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,410/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 118.8x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $63,410 far exceeding the $18,176 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #258 of 947 Nursing programs, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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.

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
86
High End
Earnings $63,410/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$63K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
119.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,764
Out-of-state: $18,052
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,176
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,627
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
A score of 86/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Median debt of just $18,176 against $63,410/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Beyond Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →