Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of nearly $73,000—above both the national and state medians—but then takes an unusual turn. By year four, graduates earn about $4,600 less than they did initially, a decline that raises questions about career trajectory. While the $21,000 debt load is manageable with a first-year salary in the low-70s (creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.29), the backward earnings trend is worth understanding.

At 60th percentile among Virginia nursing programs, NOVA sits solidly in the middle of the pack within a competitive state market. Programs like Southside College of Health Sciences and several Fortis campuses show stronger earning power, though NOVA's community college tuition likely comes at a lower total cost. The earnings dip could reflect graduates moving from higher-paying hospital positions into different nursing roles, geographic relocation, or reduced hours—common patterns in nursing careers that don't necessarily signal poor program quality.

For families prioritizing low debt and immediate employment, this program delivers: graduates enter the workforce quickly with reasonable debt and salaries well above typical associate degree outcomes. Just factor in that peak earnings may come right away rather than building over the first few years of practice.