Nursing at Rockland Community College

Suffern, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 4,180 in Suffern, NY.

Program Analysis

At $81,689 per year, Nursing graduates from Rockland Community College earn slightly above the $69,474 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 80.3x 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $11,193 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #383 of 947 Nursing programs, Rockland Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $81,689 to $99,724 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $81,689/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$1,033K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
80.7x
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)
$12,796
Out-of-state: $23,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,193
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,724
22% 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

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rockland Community 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

How does Rockland Community College's Nursing program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Rockland Community College's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $854,648 in decade earnings vs $1,032,942 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Rockland Community College?
At $11,193 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Rockland Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Rockland Community College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Rockland Community College.
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 →