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

Olympic College nursing graduates enter the workforce with outstanding earnings—$84,108 in the first year places this program in the 95th percentile nationally and makes it competitive with Washington's top community college nursing programs. The $20,000 median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24, meaning graduates earn roughly four times their debt in their first year alone. That's a strong financial foundation.

The complication appears four years out, when median earnings drop to $71,345. This 15% decline is unusual for nursing and likely reflects graduates shifting to different roles, reducing hours for family reasons, or pursuing further education. Importantly, even at the lower figure, these graduates still out-earn the national median for this degree. The moderate sample size means individual career choices may be driving this pattern more than program quality.

For parents evaluating this program, the starting salary and manageable debt create a low-risk proposition. Even with the earnings dip, graduates are positioned well above national averages and holding their own in Washington's competitive nursing market. The initial financial momentum gives graduates flexibility to make career choices that might temporarily reduce income without facing debt hardship.