Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration — 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program score?
A score of 78/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Iowa Central Community College trails the majority of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration to AI automation?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Iowa Central Community College?
At $16,621 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration workers?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →