Nursing at Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 3,107 students in Fort Dodge, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $56,562 place Iowa Central Community College below the $69,474 national median for Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 61.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $56,562 far exceeding the $16,621 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #656 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Iowa Central Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $56,562 to $64,475 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
78
High End
Earnings $56,562/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$658K
3.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.2x
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)
$10,752
Out-of-state: $15,336
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,621
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,475
14% 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 Iowa Central 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

Other Majors at Iowa Central Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Iowa Central Community College's Nursing program score?
A score of 78/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Iowa Central Community College trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Iowa Central Community College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $591,765 in decade earnings vs $658,291 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Iowa Central Community College?
At $16,621 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Iowa Central Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Iowa Central Community College a good choice for Nursing despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Iowa Central Community College?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
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 →