Nursing at Riverside City College

Riverside, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a mid-sized student body of 17,361 in Riverside, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Riverside City College's Nursing program earn $89,869/yr in their first year — 29% above the $69,474 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 389.4x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $10,000 in median debt against $89,869 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #33 of 947 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $107,743 are relatively flat compared to the $89,869 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.

91 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
85
Low End
91
Score
92
High End
Earnings $89,869/yr (29% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$1,112K
4.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
391.4x
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)
$2,840
Out-of-state: $22,460
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,000
1.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$107,743
20% 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 Riverside City 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 Riverside City College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Riverside City College's Nursing program score?
At 91/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Riverside City College, a score of 91/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Riverside City College?
At $10,000 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Riverside City College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Riverside City College rank so high for Nursing?
Ranked #33 of 947 programs nationally, Riverside City College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Riverside City College?
Beyond Riverside City 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 Riverside City College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Riverside City College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →