Nursing at Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a mid-sized student body of 9,038 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Program Analysis

At $70,673/yr, Nursing graduates from Del Mar College land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 111.5x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $7,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #201 of 947 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $76,045 are relatively flat compared to the $70,673 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.

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
87
Score
87
High End
Earnings $70,673/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$769K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
111.7x
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)
$6,880
Out-of-state: $12,100
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
1.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,045
8% 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

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Del Mar College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Del Mar College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Del Mar College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Del Mar College's 87/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Del Mar College?
Median debt of just $7,000 against $70,673/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Del Mar College rank so high for Nursing?
Among 947 Nursing programs, Del Mar College's #201 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Del Mar College?
Beyond Del Mar 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.
Will Nursing graduates from Del Mar College find jobs?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Del Mar College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →