Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Columbia Basin College

Columbia Basin College's nursing program punches well above its weight nationally but trails other Washington schools—a pattern that reflects the state's exceptionally strong nursing market more than any program weakness. While graduates earn $77,785 in their first year (85th percentile nationally), that places them near the middle of the pack within Washington, where the state median sits at $79,369. The debt picture is genuinely exceptional: at just $12,562, it's roughly 40% lower than both state and national benchmarks, giving graduates one of the strongest debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find in nursing education.

The earnings dip from year one to year four deserves attention but isn't alarming in context. Many Columbia Basin graduates likely work in the Tri-Cities area, where nursing salaries—while solid—don't match Seattle-area compensation. The $4,000 decline may simply reflect geographic differences as classmates who initially took higher-paying positions relocate or as the data captures different career paths within nursing.

For families, this comes down to priorities: if your child plans to stay in Eastern Washington, this program delivers strong local earning power with minimal debt burden. If Seattle-area hospitals are the goal, other state programs might provide better networking and placement. Either way, the low debt makes this a financially safe choice that won't constrain career options down the road.