Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Brookline College-Albuquerque

Despite earning above the national average for nursing programs, Brookline College-Albuquerque's nursing graduates face a troubling reality in their home state. While first-year earnings of $78,980 exceed the national median by over $4,000, they fall short of New Mexico's state median by nearly $2,000—ranking in just the 40th percentile among the state's seven nursing programs. More concerning, earnings remain completely flat over the first four years, suggesting limited career advancement opportunities.

The debt picture tells a more positive story. At $41,937, graduates carry significantly more debt than both national and state medians, but the program ranks in the favorable 5th percentile nationally for debt levels. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable for a healthcare field, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments on a nursing salary.

For New Mexico families, this program presents a reasonable but not exceptional path into nursing. While graduates earn solid starting salaries and face manageable debt burdens, they'll likely earn less than peers from state universities like UNM or New Mexico Highlands. Parents should weigh the program's accessibility—over half of students receive Pell grants—against the opportunity cost of attending higher-performing in-state alternatives that offer better long-term earning potential.