Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Community College of Baltimore County

Community College of Baltimore County's associate nursing program launches graduates into strong starting salaries—$75,725 puts them above both the national average ($68,409) and most Maryland nursing programs. However, you're paying a premium for these results. At $26,857 in median debt, graduates carry roughly 45% more debt than the Maryland median of $18,500, even though earnings sit comfortably but not dramatically above the state's $73,334 median.

The 6% earnings decline from year one to year four deserves attention. While nurses typically see stable or growing wages, this cohort's trajectory suggests either shifts in employment patterns or job settings over time. That said, even at the four-year mark, earnings of $71,377 remain competitive. The debt load stays manageable with a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates typically owe about 4.5 months of their first year's salary.

The comparison to other Maryland programs is telling: Prince George's Community College graduates earn $89,437, achieving significantly better outcomes without proportionally higher debt. If your child has geographic flexibility within Maryland, exploring those alternatives makes sense. But if CCBC is the most practical option, the program still delivers solid nursing credentials at a price point that's reasonable relative to first-year earnings, even if not the most efficient path among Maryland community colleges.