Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Carrington College-Phoenix North
Associate's Degree
Analysis
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.
Where Carrington College-Phoenix North Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Carrington College-Phoenix North graduates compare to all programs nationally
Carrington College-Phoenix North graduates earn $77k, placing them in the 82th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College-Phoenix North | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | $78,359 | $69,166 | $34,003 | 0.43 |
| Carrington College-Mesa | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Carrington College-Tucson | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Glendale Community College | $75,418 | $75,496 | $24,741 | 0.33 |
| Yavapai College | $74,560 | $66,759 | $21,500 | 0.29 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Arizona
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arizona schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale | $2,358 | $78,359 | $34,003 |
| Carrington College-Mesa Mesa | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
| Carrington College-Tucson Tucson | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
| Glendale Community College Glendale | $2,358 | $75,418 | $24,741 |
| Yavapai College Prescott | $2,838 | $74,560 | $21,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Carrington College-Phoenix North, approximately 55% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 216 graduates with reported earnings and 314 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.