Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Central Community College

Central Community College nursing graduates face an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny. First-year median earnings of $64,945 drop to $58,300 by year four—a 10% decline that runs counter to typical career trajectories. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Nebraska nursing programs (outperforming four of six peers), it's held back by earnings trailing Southeast Community College by $6,000+ initially and falling further behind over time.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $14,805, graduates owe roughly $4,000 less than the Nebraska median and $6,000 less than the national average. This translates to a manageable 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about three months' salary. The program also costs substantially less than top performers like Southeast or Metro Community College.

The core question is why earnings decline rather than grow. This could reflect schedule changes (full-time to part-time), career interruptions, or regional employment patterns. Given Nebraska's smaller healthcare market, some graduates may face limited advancement opportunities. If your child plans to stay in central Nebraska long-term and values lower debt, this remains a viable path to nursing licensure. But if maximizing earning potential matters more, Southeast Community College's stronger trajectory—despite higher upfront costs—may justify the investment.