Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degree) at Reading Area Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$67,241

Est. from PA median (19 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,310

Est. from PA median (15 programs)

Analysis

Similar nursing programs across Pennsylvania suggest Reading Area Community College produces outcomes squarely in the middle of the pack—estimated first-year earnings around $67,241 align exactly with the state median. That's solid for an associate degree in healthcare, though it trails the top community college nursing programs in the state by $10,000 or more. Montgomery County Community College and Lehigh Carbon Community College, for instance, place their graduates into positions paying nearly $78,000 to start.

The estimated $25,310 in debt sits just below Pennsylvania's typical burden for these programs and well above the national median of $20,751. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their loans—manageable in nursing, where steady employment and wage growth are common. The 43% Pell grant enrollment suggests Reading serves students who need accessible healthcare pathways, and nursing remains one of the most reliable fields for associate degree holders.

The takeaway: this program appears to deliver standard Pennsylvania nursing outcomes at a slightly elevated but not alarming debt level. If Reading's location or support services matter for your family, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. If maximizing starting salary is the priority, comparing actual reported outcomes from nearby community colleges like Montgomery or Lehigh Carbon would be worth the effort.

Where Reading Area Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Reading Area Community CollegeReading	$6,270	$67,241*	—	$25,310*	—
Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell	$6,270	$78,511*	$73,098	$24,820*	0.32
Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeSchnecksville	$5,215	$78,322*	$71,258	$27,075*	0.35
Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke	$6,450	$76,711*	$64,410	$25,310*	0.33
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport	$17,940	$75,938*	$69,178	$39,000*	0.51
Saint Joseph's University - LancasterLancaster	$31,866	$74,676*	$69,419	$27,498*	0.37
National Median	—	$68,409*	—	$20,751*	0.30

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Reading Area Community College, approximately 43% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 19 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.