Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Concorde Career College-Kansas City

Concorde Career College's nursing program carries an estimated debt load of $34,494—roughly 60% higher than what most Missouri nursing students face. While comparable associate nursing programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $63,000, that debt figure stands out sharply against the $21,000 typical at Missouri community colleges. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 isn't alarming by itself, but it means your child would start with significantly more to repay than peers from nearby public programs.

The earnings trajectory looks solid based on actual four-year outcomes ($64,827), which align with state norms for nursing associates. Nursing remains one of the few fields where an associate degree opens doors to middle-class wages immediately. But here's the practical concern: nearby community colleges like St. Charles and Saint Louis Community College produce graduates earning $68,000—about $5,000 more annually—while their students typically borrow far less. That difference compounds over time.

Given the limited sample size that required estimating both earnings and debt for this specific program, the comparison to established public alternatives becomes especially important. If your child has already been admitted elsewhere in Missouri's nursing pipeline, the lower debt burden at a community college would offer more financial breathing room during those crucial early career years when building experience matters most.