Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Riverside College of Health Careers

Riverside College's nursing program produces solid first-year earnings of $69,644, placing graduates in the 60th percentile among Virginia nursing programs—ahead of the state median but trailing the top-performing schools by $3,000-$6,000. The $27,000 debt load is higher than both the Virginia median ($20,010) and national average ($20,751), though the 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio remains reasonable for an associate's degree program that leads directly to employment.

The earnings-to-debt tradeoff here is worth scrutinizing. While graduates earn slightly more than the typical Virginia nursing program, they're taking on 35% more debt to get there. Schools like Northern Virginia Community College deliver comparable first-year earnings ($72,905) at presumably lower debt levels, and even ECPI University produces higher earners with similar accessibility (52% Pell recipients). The 17% admission rate suggests selectivity, yet nearly half of students qualify for Pell grants—indicating the school serves students who need strong financial returns.

For families evaluating this program, the numbers work but aren't exceptional. Your child will likely find nursing employment and earn enough to manage the debt comfortably, but you're paying a premium compared to other Virginia options. If this school's location or program structure offers significant convenience advantages, the extra debt might be justified. Otherwise, compare carefully against community colleges and other regional programs that might deliver similar outcomes at lower cost.