Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Wytheville Community College
Associate's Degree
wcc.vccs.eduAnalysis
Wytheville Community College's nursing program shows an unusual pattern that should concern prospective students: graduates earn $61,334 in their first year but see their income drop to $52,705 by year four—a 14% decline when most careers are gaining momentum. This puts graduates at the bottom tier nationally (14th percentile) and below the middle of the pack even within Virginia (40th percentile), where the typical nursing graduate from this program earns $68,524. For reference, nearby Northern Virginia Community College's nursing graduates earn $72,905, while Southside College tops the state at $75,357.
The positive news is debt remains manageable at $11,750, well below both Virginia's median of $20,010 and the national average. That low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means graduates can handle their loans even as earnings decline. However, the earnings trajectory raises questions about whether graduates are finding stable nursing positions or facing underemployment—a critical concern when choosing where to launch a nursing career.
If your child is set on this program, the debt won't sink them, but they should understand they're likely starting behind peers from other Virginia nursing programs and may struggle to gain ground professionally. Given the competitive nature of nursing in Virginia and the superior outcomes at other in-state community colleges, this program represents a weaker investment despite its affordability.
Where Wytheville Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Wytheville Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville Community College | $61,334 | $52,705 | -14% |
| Southside Virginia Community College | $66,693 | $71,855 | +8% |
| Germanna Community College | $67,779 | $71,512 | +6% |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | $71,678 | $71,314 | -1% |
| Fortis College-Richmond | $71,678 | $71,314 | -1% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (31 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wytheville Community CollegeWytheville | $4,863 | $61,334 | $52,705 | $11,750 | 0.19 |
 Southside College of Health SciencesColonial Heights | — | $75,357 | $68,500 | $20,609 | 0.27 |
 Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale | $5,703 | $72,905 | $68,298 | $21,000 | 0.29 |
 Fortis College-NorfolkNorfolk | $14,083 | $71,678 | $71,314 | $36,678 | 0.51 |
| Fortis College-RichmondRichmond | $14,986 | $71,678 | $71,314 | $36,678 | 0.51 |
 ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach | $18,484 | $71,146 | $65,612 | $35,425 | 0.50 |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wytheville Community College, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 58 graduates with reported earnings and 41 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.