Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City

Arizona College of Nursing's Salt Lake City campus produces the second-highest earning BSN graduates in Utah at $85,169—trailing only Western Governors by a slim margin and significantly outpacing the state median of $66,420. That 80th percentile state ranking matters: most Utah nursing programs leave their graduates earning 20-30% less right out of the gate. Nationally, these outcomes place in the 84th percentile, well above the $74,888 median.

The tradeoff comes with debt. At $51,854, graduates carry roughly double what's typical for Utah nursing programs ($22,383) and nearly twice the national median ($27,000). However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means graduates earn enough in their first year to make this manageable—they're bringing home more than they owe. The school's 100% admission rate and 48% Pell-eligible student body suggest it's serving students who might not access other pathways into nursing, yet delivering outcomes that rival Utah's flagship university.

For parents willing to finance higher initial debt in exchange for stronger immediate earnings, this makes sense. The first-year salary advantage over typical Utah nursing programs ($18,749 more annually) covers the extra debt within roughly three years, assuming graduates apply those earnings differentials to loans. This is expensive training, but it appears to work.