Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Associate's Degree
blueridgectc.eduAnalysis
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College produces nursing graduates who earn slightly above both the national and state medians right out of the gate—$68,897 puts them ahead of most West Virginia nursing programs. The debt load of $26,766 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, which means graduates earn more than double what they owe. Among West Virginia's 16 nursing programs, Blue Ridge ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt below the state average.
The downside here is modest: earnings dip about 5% by year four, settling around $65,333. This isn't the typical nursing career trajectory, where earnings usually climb with experience. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means this could reflect individual career choices—part-time work, relocation, or temporary breaks—rather than a systematic problem with the program. West Virginia's top nursing programs show similar starting salaries, suggesting Blue Ridge prepares students competitively.
For a West Virginia family, this represents solid value. Your child would graduate with below-average debt, start earning immediately at a competitive rate, and have credentials that travel well if they leave the state. The earnings dip warrants a question during campus visits about clinical placement and career support, but it shouldn't overshadow the program's strengths: accessible cost and strong initial outcomes in a high-demand field.
Where Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | $68,897 | $65,333 | -5% |
| West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | $68,238 | $65,644 | -4% |
| Fairmont State University | $69,582 | $64,254 | -8% |
| Marshall University | $65,826 | $63,301 | -4% |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | $67,830 | $61,636 | -9% |
Compare to Similar Programs in West Virginia
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in West Virginia (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blue Ridge Community and Technical CollegeMartinsburg | $4,344 | $68,897 | $65,333 | $26,766 | 0.39 |
 Davis & Elkins CollegeElkins | $31,270 | $71,201 | $59,426 | $25,500 | 0.36 |
 Fairmont State UniversityFairmont | $8,454 | $69,582 | $64,254 | $31,000 | 0.45 |
 West Virginia Junior College-MorgantownMorgantown | $14,313 | $68,238 | $65,644 | $24,181 | 0.35 |
 University of CharlestonCharleston | $32,842 | $67,888 | — | $24,250 | 0.36 |
 BridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeSouth Charleston | $5,282 | $67,830 | $61,636 | $18,375 | 0.27 |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 39 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.