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

Similar nursing programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $66,400, while the debt load—estimated at $19,250 based on typical borrowing at community colleges—comes in well below the national median of $23,500 for these programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 is manageable by any standard: graduates could potentially pay off their loans in less than a year of focused repayment.

Colorado's nursing market appears particularly strong. Comparable programs in the state typically produce median earnings near $70,000, roughly $3,500 above the national figure. Pueblo Community College—the only Colorado program with publicly reported data—shows graduates earning that state median, suggesting the market rewards nursing credentials consistently across Colorado institutions. The estimated debt here also matches the state median exactly, indicating this falls squarely in line with what other Colorado community colleges charge for nursing preparation.

The fundamentals look solid: nursing demand remains high, the credential comes from an affordable community college, and Colorado's healthcare wages trend above national averages. While these specific estimates can't guarantee your child's individual outcome, the pattern across peer programs points toward a practical investment—a relatively quick path to healthcare employment without accumulating the debt loads that plague four-year degrees. Just confirm the program maintains strong NCLEX pass rates and clinical placement relationships with local hospitals.