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

Richmond Community College graduates leave with remarkably low debt—just $8,722, less than half the state average and better than 95% of nursing programs nationally. That's a genuine competitive advantage. The first-year earnings of $70,087 exceed both state and national medians, ranking in the 60th percentile among North Carolina's 59 nursing programs.

The concern is what happens after year one. Earnings drop to $65,909 by year four, a 6% decline that's unusual in a field where nurses typically see steady wage growth through experience and certification advancement. This pattern might reflect graduates moving into lower-paying specialties, reducing hours, or local market constraints in rural North Carolina. While some top NC programs like Robeson Community College ($77,475) and Stanly Community College ($76,008) produce higher earners, Richmond's graduates still make more than the state median.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under two months of gross income—that's excellent leverage regardless of what happens to earnings later. For families seeking an affordable entry into nursing, especially those qualifying for Pell grants (31% of students here), this represents minimal financial risk with solid initial returns.