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

With 15 nursing programs across Oklahoma to choose from, Redlands Community College ranks squarely in the middle—its graduates earn $68,544 at the state median, while Redlands comes in at $61,453 in the first year. That's roughly $7,000 less annually than the typical Oklahoma nursing graduate, and about $15,000 behind top performers like Rose State College. The debt load of $20,625 is standard for associate nursing programs, representing just one-third of first-year earnings, which is manageable. However, the earnings trajectory is worth noting: graduates see solid 17% growth to $72,153 by year four, actually surpassing both state and national medians by that point.

The pattern here suggests a slower start with catching up over time. If your child can stomach earning less than peers from nearby programs during those critical first few years—when loan payments begin—this path eventually reaches competitive territory. But in a state with several community colleges offering stronger immediate earning potential at similar costs, Redlands doesn't make the strongest case unless location or admission accessibility are decisive factors. The practical difference of $7,000 annually in early career earnings adds up quickly when you're establishing financial independence.