Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Colorado Christian University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Colorado Christian University's nursing graduates face a significant financial hurdle: debt loads twice the national average ($54,709 vs. $27,000) paired with below-average starting salaries. While $71,388 may sound reasonable for year-one earnings, it lags behind both Colorado's median ($74,906) and 11 other nursing programs in the state. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means graduates are shouldering nearly an entire year's salary in loans—a burden that will impact housing decisions, savings, and financial flexibility for years to come.
The earnings trajectory offers little relief. Four years out, salaries inch up to just $74,053—barely matching what typical Colorado nursing graduates earn right out of school. With one-third of students receiving Pell grants, this debt load hits particularly hard for families who can least afford it. Compare this to Metropolitan State University of Denver, where nursing graduates earn $77,333 early on with debt closer to state norms, or Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs at $87,579.
For a field like nursing with relatively standardized credentials and strong job markets, paying premium debt for below-average outcomes doesn't add up. Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend CCU specifically—perhaps faith-based education is essential to your family—Colorado offers nursing programs with better financial profiles that won't start their career underwater.
Where Colorado Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors'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 Colorado Christian University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Colorado Christian University graduates earn $71k, placing them in the 31th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors 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 Colorado
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (18 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Christian University | $71,388 | $74,053 | $54,709 | 0.77 |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | $87,579 | $84,584 | $30,319 | 0.35 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | $77,333 | $70,699 | $30,119 | 0.39 |
| Regis University | $76,736 | $73,450 | $29,427 | 0.38 |
| Platt College-Aurora | $76,390 | — | $51,933 | 0.68 |
| Denver College of Nursing | $76,161 | $70,621 | $34,914 | 0.46 |
| National Median | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Colorado
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Colorado schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs | $12,760 | $87,579 | $30,319 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver | $10,780 | $77,333 | $30,119 |
| Regis University Denver | $43,980 | $76,736 | $29,427 |
| Platt College-Aurora Greenwood Village | $20,590 | $76,390 | $51,933 |
| Denver College of Nursing Denver | — | $76,161 | $34,914 |
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 Colorado Christian University, approximately 33% 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 113 graduates with reported earnings and 117 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.