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

Graduates of Community College of Beaver County's nursing program enter the workforce earning about $6,000 less than the Pennsylvania median—landing below half of the state's nursing programs. While the $63,237 starting salary comfortably exceeds most non-healthcare fields, it's notably lower than what nearby community colleges deliver. Montgomery County and Lehigh Carbon community college grads, for instance, earn nearly $15,000 more right out of the gate. That gap matters when you're carrying $27,500 in debt, which is slightly above both state and national medians for associate nursing programs.

The real concern is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see a slight decline by year four rather than the typical growth nurses experience as they gain experience and credentials. This stagnation, combined with below-median starting pay, creates a longer payoff period than Pennsylvania families should expect from a nursing degree. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 isn't alarming on its own, but it's less favorable than it should be for an associate degree in a high-demand field.

For families committed to staying in the Beaver County area, this program can still lead to stable employment in a recession-resistant field. However, if your child can commute to one of Pennsylvania's stronger community college nursing programs—particularly those in the $75,000+ range—the higher earnings could justify the extra travel time and potentially pay off debt years faster.