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

Everett Community College's nursing graduates earn nearly $80,000 right out of the gate—$11,500 more than the national median for associate nursing programs and essentially matching Washington's state median. That's strong performance that puts this program in the 90th percentile nationally, though it ranks squarely in the middle among Washington's 32 nursing programs. The $19,000 in debt is manageable, representing less than three months of first-year earnings.

The challenge here is what happens after graduation: earnings remain essentially flat at just under $80,000 through year four, while some nearby programs see continued growth. Compare this to programs like Highline or Olympic, where graduates start $4,000-5,000 higher. However, nurses often increase earnings through shift differentials, additional certifications, or specialization moves that don't show up in these aggregate numbers, and $80,000 represents a solid middle-class income in the Seattle metro area.

For parents weighing this option, the fundamentals are sound—your child will earn well from day one with modest debt. The program delivers what matters most for an associate nursing degree: rapid entry into a high-paying profession with minimal financial burden. If your student is comparing Washington community colleges, look at the top performers in the state, but recognize that Everett's outcomes are reliably strong and the debt load is reasonable.