Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cox College
Associate's Degree
coxcollege.eduAnalysis
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
Earnings Distribution
How Cox College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox College | $58,667 | $55,953 | -5% |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | $63,534 | $66,315 | +4% |
| Saint Louis Community College | $68,262 | $65,424 | -4% |
| Jefferson College | $67,439 | $61,831 | -8% |
| St Charles Community College | $68,488 | $61,534 | -10% |
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)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cox CollegeSpringfield | $15,599 | $58,667 | $55,953 | $32,896 | 0.56 |
 St Charles Community CollegeCottleville | $3,000 | $68,488 | $61,534 | $18,712 | 0.27 |
 Saint Louis Community CollegeBridgeton | $3,660 | $68,262 | $65,424 | $16,667 | 0.24 |
 Jefferson CollegeHillsboro | $4,500 | $67,439 | $61,831 | $22,554 | 0.33 |
 Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health SciencesCape Girardeau | $11,691 | $67,421 | $56,431 | $23,500 | 0.35 |
 Moberly Area Community CollegeMoberly | $4,020 | $67,023 | $57,091 | $17,587 | 0.26 |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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.