Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College's nursing program produces graduates earning below the state median—about $3,500 less than the typical Colorado nursing graduate after one year. While the program lands near the national average, it sits in just the 40th percentile among Colorado programs, where nursing graduates at places like Morgan Community College and Front Range earn $8,000-$9,000 more annually. That gap matters in a state where cost of living runs high, particularly in resort communities like Glenwood Springs.

The positive story here is debt. At under $15,000, graduates owe about $7,500 less than the typical Colorado nursing student, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22—manageable by any standard. The 14% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates can advance their careers, though they're starting from a lower baseline. For a family seeking an affordable entry into nursing without relocating from Colorado's Western Slope, this delivers reasonable value despite the earnings gap.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers less reliable than larger programs. If your student is committed to staying in the Glenwood Springs area where healthcare jobs may be limited, investigate whether local employers value this degree as much as those from Front Range schools. The debt advantage won't matter much if career advancement requires moving anyway.