Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Edmonds College

Washington's community colleges have built a strong reputation for nursing programs, and Edmonds College appears positioned in this competitive landscape. While the school's specific outcomes aren't publicly available, similar associate nursing programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $79,000 against roughly $18,000 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 that would take about three months of gross pay to cover. That financial picture aligns with what peer institutions like Seattle Central and Whatcom Community College are producing.

The estimated earnings put this program on par with Washington's state median for associate nursing degrees, though notably below top performers like Highline College ($84,619) and Olympic College ($84,108). These differences matter: an extra $5,000 annually compounds significantly over a nursing career. The advantage over national outcomes is clearer—comparable programs nationwide typically yield $68,000, suggesting Washington's robust healthcare market lifts all boats to some degree.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound based on peer programs: nursing remains one of the few associate degrees that consistently delivers livable wages right out of school. The uncertainty here is whether Edmonds matches the state average or outperforms it like some nearby colleges do. Request the school's actual placement and salary data directly—they track these numbers even when DOE suppression rules prevent public reporting. That conversation will reveal whether this program competes with the stronger nursing programs an hour's drive away.