Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cecil College

Maryland's nursing programs consistently deliver strong outcomes, and Cecil College appears to fit this pattern. Based on comparable associate degree nursing programs in the state, graduates here likely start around $73,000—right at the state median and well above the national benchmark of $68,000. With estimated debt under $18,000, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning the full loan balance equals roughly three months of first-year income.

The four-year earnings figure of $76,000 (based on actual reported data) suggests steady but modest growth, which is typical for nursing careers that often advance through certifications and specialization rather than dramatic salary jumps. What matters more is the stability: nursing remains one of the most reliable career paths with consistent demand. Maryland's nursing market appears particularly robust—even programs at the lower end of the state's range are producing outcomes that beat national medians.

The caveat is that these figures are derived from peer programs, not Cecil College's specific graduates, because the school's sample size was too small for the Department of Education to publish. Still, the economics make sense: manageable debt, strong earning potential from day one, and you're entering a field where jobs find you. For an associate degree pathway into healthcare, this represents a relatively low-risk investment.