Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

J Sargeant Reynolds graduates enter Virginia's nursing workforce earning about $4,000 less than the state median—placing this program in the bottom half among Virginia's 31 nursing programs. Northern Virginia Community College and Southside College of Health Sciences, both public institutions, produce graduates earning $8,000-$11,000 more annually. Even Fortis College's Richmond campus, despite higher tuition costs, shows stronger earning outcomes at $71,678.

The debt load itself is reasonable at $20,502, creating a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio. The real concern is the trajectory: earnings actually slip to $62,409 by year four, a 3% decline that's unusual in nursing where experience typically commands higher pay. This suggests graduates may be concentrating in lower-paying settings like assisted living facilities rather than hospitals, or working reduced hours. With 30% of students on Pell grants, many may be prioritizing work-life balance over maximum earnings, which is a valid choice but worth understanding upfront.

For families seeking the strongest return on a Virginia nursing degree, other community colleges deliver materially better outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. Reynolds will get your child into nursing, but if maximizing earning potential matters—especially for students taking on debt—the data points toward starting elsewhere or understanding you're trading some income for other factors like location or schedule flexibility.