Est. Earnings (1yr)
$72,766
Est. from NH median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,350
Est. from NH median (4 programs)

Analysis

With an estimated debt of around $27,000 and first-year earnings based on similar New Hampshire nursing programs approaching $73,000, this associate degree program appears to track with the state's strong nursing market. That 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates might clear their loans within a year of focused repaymentβ€”a favorable position compared to many healthcare programs nationally where debt burdens can linger much longer.

The caveat is that these figures come from peer nursing programs across New Hampshire, not Nashua Community College's specific outcomes. However, the state's nursing programs show fairly consistent results, with most community college nursing graduates earning between $67,000 and $75,000 in their first year. This clustering suggests the state's healthcare labor market, rather than the individual school, largely determines starting salaries. The estimated debt figure, while above the national median for nursing associates programs ($20,751), reflects New Hampshire's higher cost of living.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound: nursing remains an in-demand field with clear career progression, and an associate degree provides the fastest route to RN licensure. Just recognize you're betting on comparable outcomes from similar programs rather than this school's proven track record. If your child is committed to nursing and plans to work in New Hampshire, the earnings potential should support the debt load, but connect with recent graduates or program administrators to confirm job placement rates and starting salaries specific to Nashua's program.

Where Nashua Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Nashua Community Collegeβ€”$70,720β€”
St Joseph School of Nursing$71,623$72,920+2%
Great Bay Community College$73,908$66,042-11%
River Valley Community College$75,282$65,248-13%
NHTI-Concord's Community College$74,512$63,574-15%

Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (9 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Nashua Community CollegeNashua$7,140$72,766*$70,720$27,350*β€”
River Valley Community CollegeClaremont$6,940$75,282*$65,248$27,824*0.37
NHTI-Concord's Community CollegeConcord$7,200$74,512*$63,574$25,006*0.34
Great Bay Community CollegePortsmouth$7,200$73,908*$66,042$28,371*0.38
St Joseph School of NursingNashua$22,978$71,623*$72,920$24,167*0.34
White Mountains Community CollegeBerlin$7,050$67,257*β€”$26,875*0.40
National Medianβ€”$68,409*β€”$20,751*0.30
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Nashua Community College, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in NH. Actual outcomes may vary.