Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Erie Community College

Erie Community College's nursing associate program delivers solid earnings—nearly $70,000 right out of school—but trails most New York nursing programs significantly. While graduates earn above the national median, they're landing in just the 40th percentile within New York state, where nurses typically make $73,415. The debt load of about $20,000 is actually lower than the state average, which helps the financial picture, but top programs in the state are producing graduates who earn $25,000-$30,000 more annually.

The modest 6% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are establishing stable nursing careers rather than rapidly advancing into specialized or leadership roles. This isn't necessarily problematic for an associate degree program—many nurses use these credentials as a stepping stone to bachelor's degrees and higher-paying positions later. The manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates should comfortably handle loan payments.

For families looking at nursing programs in New York, this represents an affordable entry point with below-average state debt, but your child would likely earn significantly more by attending one of the stronger programs in the CUNY system or specialized nursing schools. If cost and accessibility are primary concerns, the program works. If maximizing nursing income matters more, the $4,000-$5,000 annual earnings gap compared to the state median adds up to substantial money over a career.