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

Spokane Community College's nursing program delivers strong first-year earnings at nearly $78,000—well above the national median—but graduates earn about $7,300 less than the typical Washington nursing graduate. That gap matters because Washington has one of the highest-paying nursing markets in the country, and several community colleges across the state consistently produce graduates earning $82,000-$84,000 right out of the gate. Among Washington's 32 nursing programs, this one lands at the 40th percentile, meaning more than half offer stronger early earnings.

The debt load of $25,728 is reasonable given that first-year salary (a 0.33 ratio), though it's notably higher than Washington's median of $18,239 for nursing programs. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their pay drop 8% by year four, falling to $72,036. This decline might reflect the regional job market in Spokane compared to Seattle-area opportunities, or potentially differences in specialty nursing paths graduates pursue.

For families planning to stay in Eastern Washington, this program still delivers solid nursing credentials at a manageable debt level. But if your child is willing to relocate or commute, the Seattle-area community college nursing programs offer meaningfully higher starting salaries—often $6,000-$7,000 more annually—that could total $25,000+ in additional earnings over four years. That difference alone would cover the entire cost of this program.