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Nursing at Santa Ana College

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

with 22,011 students enrolled in Santa Ana, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Santa Ana College's Nursing program earn $98,493/yr in their first year — 42% above the $69,474 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 450.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $10,500 in median debt against $98,493 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #30 out of 947 programs, Santa Ana College's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $98,493/yr (42% vs median)

AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings

$98K

Reported median after graduation

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

451.7x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

6 of 6

Occupations with strong AI resilience

Program Tuition (In-State)

$2,360

Out-of-state: $18,920

Median Debt at Graduation

$10,500

1.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$90,501

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Santa Ana College?

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.

How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?

AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Santa Ana College, a score of 91/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.

What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Santa Ana College?

Median debt of just $10,500 against $98,493/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.

Is Santa Ana College one of the best schools for Nursing?

The #30 ranking out of 947 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.

Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Santa Ana College?

The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Santa Ana College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.

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 →