Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Central Virginia Community College

Central Virginia Community College's nursing program carries just $8,250 in typical debt—remarkably low even by community college standards and far below the $23,562 national median for nursing certificates. While we're working with estimated earnings of $66,398 based on similar programs nationally (the school's graduate pool is too small for the DOE to publish actual figures), that debt load means students would owe just 12% of their first-year salary, an exceptionally manageable burden.

The earnings estimate actually exceeds Virginia's median for nursing programs by nearly $13,000, though peer community colleges in the state report a wide range—from $48,000 to nearly $59,000. What matters most here is the debt position: even if this program's actual outcomes fall toward the lower end of Virginia's range, graduates would still face minimal financial strain. The difference between owing $8,250 versus the national average of $23,562 translates to roughly $170 less per month in loan payments over ten years.

For families concerned about nursing school costs, this program's financing structure is hard to beat. The combination of community college pricing and what appears to be strong financial aid (a third of students receive Pell grants) creates an accessible entry point to nursing. The uncertainty around exact earnings is real, but the debt is concrete and notably low—giving graduates flexibility whether they earn at Virginia's state median or closer to national benchmarks.