Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Community College of Rhode Island

Community College of Rhode Island's nursing program produces graduates earning slightly below what they could make elsewhere—both nationally and compared to New England Institute of Technology's program down the road, which reports median earnings of $73,631. At $66,988 in the first year, CCRI graduates start about $2,000 below the national median and nearly $3,500 below Rhode Island's state median. The 40th percentile ranking among Rhode Island programs signals this isn't the strongest nursing option in a state with limited choices.

That said, the fundamentals remain solid. A 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates carry manageable debt—roughly four months of gross income—which is right in line with national norms for nursing programs. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, CCRI clearly serves students who might not otherwise access nursing credentials. The earnings, while not top-tier, still provide a middle-class income from day one.

The real concern is the minimal earnings growth: just 4% over four years suggests limited advancement opportunities or career progression for typical graduates. For a family choosing between Rhode Island's two nursing programs, paying modestly more to attend NEIT might yield $6,000+ extra in annual earnings—a gap that could widen over time. CCRI works as an affordable entry point to nursing, but ambitious students should weigh whether the lower initial cost justifies potentially lower career earnings.