Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of Micronesia-FSM

Nursing programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $68,000, which is what comparable associate degree nursing programs suggest as a starting point for College of Micronesia-FSM graduates. With estimated debt of $18,769, this translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27—meaning you'd owe roughly three months' salary, which is manageable by most standards. However, the complete absence of reported data from this program means we're working entirely from national benchmarks, which may not reflect the unique employment landscape in the Federated States of Micronesia.

The critical unknown here is whether local healthcare wages match mainland expectations. Nursing programs across the U.S. generally offer strong returns because healthcare jobs are portable and in demand, but that portability matters most if your child plans to work where these salary levels actually exist. If they intend to practice in Micronesia, you'll need to research local nursing wages independently—the national comparison could be wildly optimistic or pessimistic depending on cost of living adjustments and local demand.

The 63% Pell Grant rate suggests this school serves primarily lower-income students, for whom even $19,000 in debt represents real risk if local earnings fall short. Before committing, contact recent graduates directly or speak with local healthcare employers about actual starting salaries for nurses with associate degrees from this program.