Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Western Iowa Tech Community College

Sioux City, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 2,589 students in Sioux City, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,214/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 67.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $63,214 far exceeding the $13,897 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #581 of 947 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs, Western Iowa Tech Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $67,617 are relatively flat compared to the $63,214 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
80
Score
81
High End
Earnings $63,214/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$683K
1.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.7x
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)
$10,084
Out-of-state: $10,372
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,897
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,617
7% 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 Western Iowa Tech 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program score?
This program scores 80/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $661,359 in decade earnings vs $682,681 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Western Iowa Tech Community College?
At $13,897 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration workers?
The career paths mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →