Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Colorado State University Pueblo

CSU Pueblo's nursing program graduates earn less than most Colorado nurses—sitting at the 40th percentile statewide—and face an unusual earnings trajectory that should factor into your decision. With first-year earnings around $71,700, grads start nearly $3,000 below the state median of $74,900, then see earnings decline to $68,300 by year four. That's a 5% drop during years when most nurses are gaining experience and commanding higher pay.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $27,500, it's actually below Colorado's nursing program median of $30,200, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38. You're looking at roughly five months of gross salary to cover the debt—workable, but remember those earnings are trending in the wrong direction. Within Colorado, programs at Metro State Denver, Regis, and several others produce graduates earning $5,000-$16,000 more annually. With nursing jobs relatively plentiful statewide, that geographic premium might be accessible regardless of where your child attends.

The fundamental question: does the open admission and below-average debt justify starting behind peers and potentially falling further behind? If your child needs the access CSU Pueblo provides and plans to work in lower cost-of-living areas, the numbers work. But nursing is credential-driven enough that stronger programs don't cost proportionally more while delivering measurably better outcomes.