Nursing at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a mid-sized student body of 13,869 in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,629 at Pima Community College come in 6% above the national median of $69,474 for Nursing programs.

With a 168.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% 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 $73,629 far exceeding the $12,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #77 of 947 programs, this Nursing program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $73,629 to $79,158 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.

89 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
84
Low End
89
Score
90
High End
Earnings $73,629/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$800K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
168.7x
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)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $15,372
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,125
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,158
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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Pima 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 Pima 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 Pima Community College?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Pima Community College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $770,323 in decade earnings vs $799,857 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Pima Community College?
At $12,125 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Pima Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Pima Community College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Pima Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Pima 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 →