Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Colorado Christian University
Bachelor's Degree
ccu.eduAnalysis
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
Earnings Distribution
How Colorado Christian University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Christian University | $71,388 | $74,053 | +4% |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | $87,579 | $84,584 | -3% |
| Regis University | $76,736 | $73,450 | -4% |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | $77,333 | $70,699 | -9% |
| Denver College of Nursing | $76,161 | $70,621 | -7% |
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)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood | $39,266 | $71,388 | $74,053 | $54,709 | 0.77 |
 Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs | $12,760 | $87,579 | $84,584 | $30,319 | 0.35 |
 Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver | $10,780 | $77,333 | $70,699 | $30,119 | 0.39 |
 Regis UniversityDenver | $43,980 | $76,736 | $73,450 | $29,427 | 0.38 |
 Platt College-AuroraGreenwood Village | $20,590 | $76,390 | — | $51,933 | 0.68 |
 Denver College of NursingDenver | — | $76,161 | $70,621 | $34,914 | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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.