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

Peninsula College's nursing program launches graduates into strong immediate earnings—$79,369 puts them above 89% of similar programs nationally—but that impressive start doesn't hold. By year four, median earnings drop to $66,802, a 16% decline that's unusual in a field where skills and certifications typically compound over time. The $16,746 debt load is reasonable, giving graduates a manageable 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio initially, but as earnings slide, that cushion shrinks.

Within Washington, this program lands squarely at the state median for first-year earnings, yet notably trails several nearby community colleges. Highline, Olympic, and Lake Washington Institute grads all earn $4,000-$5,000 more annually right out of the gate, and presumably maintain better trajectories. The earnings drop here raises questions about whether graduates are finding stable full-time positions, moving into lower-paying specialties, or facing regional employment constraints in Port Angeles that push some toward part-time work.

For a family weighing options, the debt is manageable enough that this won't become a financial trap, but the earning pattern suggests graduates may need to be strategic about where they work post-graduation. If staying in the Port Angeles area limits hospital or clinic options, planning for geographic flexibility could make the difference between capitalizing on that strong first-year earning potential and settling into the lower trajectory the data reveals.