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

In Maryland's competitive nursing landscape, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable nursing programs in the state, graduates can expect first-year earnings around $73,334—nearly identical to the state median and about $5,000 above the national benchmark. While neighboring Prince George's Community College reports significantly higher earnings at $89,437, Montgomery College appears to produce outcomes similar to most other Maryland community colleges offering nursing degrees. The actual four-year earnings figure of $75,467 suggests modest but steady income growth.

The debt picture is more favorable than you might expect for a nursing program. At $15,172, graduates borrow roughly $3,000 less than the Maryland median and $5,500 less than the national average for associate nursing programs. Combined with the estimated first-year earnings, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21—meaning total debt represents just over two months of income. That's manageable by most standards, though the 78th percentile national debt ranking indicates three-quarters of nursing programs nationwide send graduates out with less borrowing.

For families prioritizing quick entry into a stable healthcare career without crushing debt, this program delivers solid fundamentals. You're paying less to borrow than typical nursing students while gaining access to Maryland's robust healthcare job market, where even middle-of-the-road programs produce livable starting salaries.