Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cox College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Cox College's nursing program produces below-average earnings with above-average debt—a combination worth scrutinizing. First-year graduates earn $58,667, roughly $10,000 less than Missouri's median for associate nursing programs and nearly the same gap behind the national figure. Even more concerning, earnings actually decline to $55,953 by year four, an unusual pattern in nursing where experience typically commands higher pay.
The debt burden makes this harder to justify. At $32,896, graduates carry about $12,000 more debt than typical Missouri nursing graduates and 58% more than the national median. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 remains manageable for nursing salaries, it's steeper than necessary when community colleges across Missouri—like St. Charles and Jefferson College—produce graduates earning $9,000-$10,000 more annually with significantly less debt. These schools demonstrate that Missouri offers substantially better nursing program values.
The 40th percentile state ranking means more than half of Missouri's nursing programs deliver better outcomes. For a family weighing this investment, the question becomes: why pay premium debt for below-median results? Unless Cox College offers unique clinical connections or scheduling flexibility that matters specifically for your situation, Missouri's community college nursing programs present a more favorable financial path to the same RN credential.
Where Cox College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Cox College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Cox College graduates earn $59k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (24 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox College | $58,667 | $55,953 | $32,896 | 0.56 |
| St Charles Community College | $68,488 | $61,534 | $18,712 | 0.27 |
| Saint Louis Community College | $68,262 | $65,424 | $16,667 | 0.24 |
| Jefferson College | $67,439 | $61,831 | $22,554 | 0.33 |
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | $67,421 | $56,431 | $23,500 | 0.35 |
| Moberly Area Community College | $67,023 | $57,091 | $17,587 | 0.26 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Missouri
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Missouri schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Charles Community College Cottleville | $3,000 | $68,488 | $18,712 |
| Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton | $3,660 | $68,262 | $16,667 |
| Jefferson College Hillsboro | $4,500 | $67,439 | $22,554 |
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences Cape Girardeau | $11,691 | $67,421 | $23,500 |
| Moberly Area Community College Moberly | $4,020 | $67,023 | $17,587 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cox College, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 107 graduates with reported earnings and 151 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.