Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Carrington College-Phoenix North

Carrington College-Phoenix North graduates earn $76,515 straight out of school—placing them in the 82nd percentile nationally and roughly in the middle of Arizona's nursing programs. That's solid starting pay, about $8,000 above the national median for associate nursing degrees. However, graduates carry $32,969 in debt, which is 44% higher than Arizona's typical nursing debt and among the heaviest loads in the country for this degree.

The debt becomes more concerning when you consider the earnings trajectory: graduates make essentially the same income four years out as they do initially. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 remains manageable compared to many programs, you're paying premium tuition without seeing the premium outcomes of Arizona's top nursing programs. Estrella Mountain and several other community colleges deliver comparable or better earnings with roughly $10,000 less debt.

For a family where the student can access Arizona's community college system, those alternatives offer better value. But if your child needs the structured support of a private program and can handle the higher debt load, the strong first-year earnings and manageable debt ratio mean they'll be employable and earning well from day one. Just understand you're paying more for convenience rather than superior career outcomes.