Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Arapahoe Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
arapahoe.eduAnalysis
The $36,234 starting salary puts Arapahoe Community College's practical nursing certificate in the bottom quarter nationally and below Colorado's median of $40,098. This matters because Colorado offers some genuinely strong LPN programs—Otero College graduates earn more than double at $74,405, and several other in-state options deliver earnings above $53,000. At 40th percentile statewide, this program lands squarely in the weaker half of Colorado's nursing training landscape.
The debt load of $13,750 is reasonable in isolation, creating a manageable 0.38 ratio to first-year earnings. You could pay this off within a year or two of focused repayment. However, when a program like Morgan Community College produces graduates earning $64,066 with similar debt levels, the comparison becomes unfavorable. The issue isn't crushing debt—it's that you're paying community college prices but getting below-average career outcomes in a field where stronger alternatives exist nearby.
For families focused purely on getting licensed and working as an LPN, this program provides an accessible entry point at a reasonable cost. But if your child has flexibility in location or timing, exploring other Colorado community colleges could mean $15,000-$25,000 more in annual income from day one. That difference compounds significantly over a nursing career.
Where Arapahoe Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Arapahoe Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton | $4,308 | $36,234 | — | $13,750 | 0.38 |
 Otero CollegeLa Junta | $4,418 | $74,405 | — | $24,150 | 0.32 |
 Morgan Community CollegeFort Morgan | $4,127 | $64,066 | $35,802 | $11,750 | 0.18 |
 Concorde Career College-AuroraAurora | — | $57,339 | $57,064 | $17,268 | 0.30 |
 Pima Medical Institute-AuroraAurora | — | $54,021 | — | $11,597 | 0.21 |
 Pickens Technical CollegeAurora | $4,930 | $53,360 | — | $11,000 | 0.21 |
| National Median | — | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
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 Arapahoe Community College, approximately 10% 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 37 graduates with reported earnings and 137 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.