Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Concorde Career College-Aurora

Concorde Career College-Aurora's practical nursing program delivers something rare in Colorado: graduates earning 43% more than the state median for these programs. At $57,339 in first-year earnings, this ranks in the 80th percentile statewide—significantly outperforming most competitors, though still trailing the top community college options like Otero and Morgan.

The debt load of $17,268 translates to just 30 cents owed for every dollar earned in year one, which is manageable territory for healthcare training. More than half the student body receives Pell grants, and they're accessing earnings that exceed the national median by nearly $13,000. That's meaningful for working-class families looking for reliable career pathways. The lack of earnings growth between years one and four suggests these graduates reach their salary ceiling quickly, but in practical nursing, stability often matters more than upward mobility.

The practical question is whether the premium over community college pricing justifies the outcomes. You're paying more than at public alternatives (compare their $11,875 median debt), but you're also seeing stronger immediate earnings than most Colorado programs. For a student who needs the flexibility of a private institution or values Concorde's placement support, this represents solid value—especially given that nearly every graduate lands employment paying well above national standards for the field.