Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at North Seattle College

Based on comparable nursing programs across Washington, North Seattle College's associate degree tracks toward first-year earnings around $79,000—solidly above the national median of $68,400 but slightly trailing several Seattle-area community colleges where graduates report $83,000-$85,000. With estimated debt of $18,200, you're looking at roughly three months of gross salary to cover borrowing, a manageable ratio that reflects nursing's strong return on investment even at the associate level.

The fourth-year earnings figure of $77,866 suggests fairly stable income rather than dramatic growth, which aligns with how nursing compensation typically works: you enter at a decent wage and advance through experience, specialization, or additional credentials rather than automatic salary jumps. Washington's nursing market is competitive, and while North Seattle College sits in the middle of the pack among state programs, the difference between their estimated outcomes and the top-performing community colleges is modest—about $4,000-$6,000 annually in those first years.

For anxious parents, the key question is whether North Seattle College delivers the same strong nursing fundamentals as its peers. The estimated debt burden is reasonable, and nursing associate degrees generally provide clear career pathways. However, since these figures come from similar programs rather than verified outcomes for this specific school, you'll want to verify their clinical placement partnerships, NCLEX pass rates, and whether their graduates land positions at the same hospitals and healthcare systems as nearby competitors.