Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Bolivar Technical College

Bolivar Technical College's nursing associate program produces graduates earning about $12,000 less than the Missouri median and roughly $8,000 below what graduates from St. Louis-area community colleges typically make. While $56,383 isn't terrible for an associate degree—and the debt load of $25,258 remains manageable at a 0.45 ratio—it's worth noting that most Missouri nursing programs deliver significantly stronger first-year outcomes.

The 40th percentile state ranking tells the real story: this program sits below average compared to other Missouri nursing schools, many of which serve similar populations. When nearby community colleges routinely produce graduates earning $67,000-$68,000 in their first year, the gap matters. For a field as standardized as nursing, where licensing requirements are identical across institutions, that $12,000 difference likely reflects regional job market limitations in the Bolivar area rather than program quality issues.

If your child plans to work near Bolivar after graduation, this program offers a direct path into nursing with reasonable debt. But if they're willing to commute or relocate for school, St. Louis-area community colleges or schools like Jefferson College deliver substantially better earning outcomes with similar or lower debt loads. The program works for local students seeking local employment, but it's not competitive statewide.