Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Barton County Community College

This Kansas nursing program starts surprisingly strong but shows a troubling earnings decline that deserves serious scrutiny, even accounting for the small sample size. Graduates earn $63,183 their first year—beating the Kansas median and competitive with regional peers—but by year four, earnings drop to $55,248. That 13% decline runs counter to what typically happens in nursing careers, where experience usually commands higher pay.

Within Kansas, Barton performs middle-of-the-pack despite its 60th percentile ranking. Top community colleges like Pratt and Rasmussen place graduates who earn $15,000-$7,000 more annually, a significant gap that compounds over a career. The debt load of $21,250 is manageable relative to first-year earnings, giving graduates breathing room initially. But if that earnings slide represents a real pattern—perhaps related to where graduates end up working or retention in the field—the financial picture deteriorates quickly.

The small cohort makes these numbers less reliable, but that earnings trajectory is concerning enough to warrant investigation. Before committing, find out where recent graduates actually work and whether they're staying in nursing roles. For a Kansas family, exploring programs like Pratt or Johnson County might offer more stability, especially if the higher starting salaries there hold steady rather than decline.