Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Columbia State Community College

Columbia State's nursing program starts graduates at $65,077—close to Tennessee's median but trailing the state's top community college programs by $9,000-11,000. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: by year four, median pay drops to $60,871, a 6% decline that's unusual in nursing, where experience typically commands higher wages. This could signal graduates working fewer hours, leaving the profession, or hitting a ceiling without advancing their credentials.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $18,841, it's higher than Tennessee's median for nursing programs but still manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. For comparison, Concorde Career College graduates earn $11,000 more annually but carry debt that's likely proportionally higher. The relatively modest borrowing here means graduates aren't trapped if they decide to pursue a BSN or shift to lower-paying nursing roles.

The core question is whether starting near the middle of the pack is acceptable when peers at Dyersburg State or Southwest Tennessee are clearing $72,000+ right away. That $7,000-12,000 gap compounds over time, especially if earnings decline rather than grow. If your child plans to work at a specific hospital system that values Columbia State connections, this could work. Otherwise, the combination of middling starting pay and backward earnings momentum suggests exploring Tennessee's stronger-performing community college nursing programs first.