Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at North Shore Community College

North Shore Community College's nursing program delivers solid first-year earnings of $72,803, but its position in the Massachusetts nursing landscape reveals some limitations. While graduates earn above the national median, they fall below the state median—landing at the 40th percentile among Bay State programs. With top performers like Regis College and several community colleges pushing past $75,000, North Shore sits in the middle of a competitive field.

The manageable debt load of $19,663 provides some reassurance, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27 that allows new nurses to handle their loans comfortably. That's actually slightly below the Massachusetts average debt for nursing programs. However, the flat earnings trajectory—with income actually dipping slightly to $71,907 by year four—suggests graduates may not be advancing into higher-paying specialties or leadership roles as quickly as their peers elsewhere.

For Massachusetts families, this program represents a serviceable entry into nursing without crushing debt, but it's worth noting that several other community colleges in the state produce graduates who out-earn North Shore alumni by $3,000-$4,000 annually. If your child has options among Massachusetts nursing programs, compare carefully—that earnings gap compounds significantly over a career.