Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Jefferson State Community College

Jefferson State's nursing program costs less than most ($16,375 versus the state median of $16,250), but that modest advantage doesn't offset a troubling earnings trajectory. While graduates start at a respectable $63,811—actually slightly above Alabama's median for nursing programs—earnings dip to $60,761 by year four. This puts graduates at the 23rd percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of nursing programs across the country produce higher earners.

The state comparison reveals the core issue: four other Alabama community colleges send their nursing graduates into significantly stronger earnings paths, with Herzing and Bishop State grads earning $10,000-$12,000 more annually. The debt load is manageable at roughly four months of initial salary, but you're paying about the same amount for a credential that appears to position graduates toward lower-paying nursing roles than peer programs in the state.

For Alabama families, this matters because nursing salaries can vary dramatically based on where graduates land—hospital systems versus nursing homes, specialty units versus general care. Jefferson State's outcomes suggest its graduates may be channeling into the lower end of that spectrum, at least compared to what's achievable at nearby alternatives. If your child can access Bishop State or Southern Union instead, the earnings data suggests they should seriously consider it.