Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Piedmont Community College

Piedmont Community College's nursing program graduates carry exceptionally low debt—$11,000 compared to North Carolina's $14,725 median and the national figure of $20,751. That's among the lowest debt loads you'll find for any nursing program in the country, making this program immediately stand out on affordability. The first-year earnings of $68,517 rank in the 60th percentile statewide, placing graduates solidly in the middle of North Carolina's nursing market.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings drop to $59,453 by year four. With a small sample size (under 30 graduates), this decline could reflect a few individuals changing career paths or reducing hours rather than a systemic program issue. North Carolina's nursing market is robust, with demand consistently outpacing supply, so the typical trajectory should be upward. It's worth investigating whether graduates are staying in clinical roles or if life circumstances are affecting the cohort tracked in this data.

For families prioritizing minimal debt, Piedmont delivers—your child would graduate with a debt load they could realistically pay off within a year of working. However, if maximizing early earnings is the goal, several NC community colleges place graduates $7,000-9,000 higher in first-year income. The program works best for students who value staying local in Roxboro and need an affordable path to nursing licensure.