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

Riverside College's selectivity—admitting just 17% of applicants—suggests a rigorous program, but the financial picture relies entirely on estimates drawn from Virginia's broader nursing landscape. With similar BSN programs in the state typically producing first-year earnings around $76,000 against median debt near $29,000, the numbers look manageable on paper: you'd be paying roughly 38 cents in debt for every dollar earned in that first year.

However, the top-performing nursing programs in Virginia show graduates earning $80,000-$83,000 annually, which puts this school's estimated outcomes solidly in the middle of the pack. Given that nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, affordability matters—and while $29,000 in debt isn't catastrophic for a nursing degree, it's worth noting that some Virginia programs carry less debt while delivering stronger earnings. The lack of actual graduate data makes it impossible to know whether Riverside's selective admissions translate into better-than-average outcomes or whether its students face hurdles that suppress earnings below state norms.

The nursing shortage means BSN graduates generally find work quickly, and these estimated figures suggest reasonable returns. But you're making this decision with borrowed confidence from peer programs rather than this school's track record. Before committing, directly ask the college why they have no reportable graduate outcomes and request placement rates and employer partnerships specific to their program.