Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing offers a solid but concerning nursing program that starts strong but shows troubling income trends over time. While graduates earn $76,161 in their first year—ranking in the 60th percentile among Colorado nursing programs—their earnings actually decline to $70,621 by year four, a 7% drop that's highly unusual for nursing careers.

The debt picture is notably favorable, with graduates carrying just $34,914 in loans compared to the national median of $27,000 and Colorado's $30,219. This puts the program in the 15th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 85% of nursing programs saddle students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 is reasonable, suggesting manageable loan payments relative to starting salaries.

However, the earnings decline raises red flags about career trajectory and job placement quality. Most nursing programs see steady income growth as graduates gain experience and advance professionally. Among Colorado's top nursing programs, Denver College of Nursing ranks in the middle tier, trailing programs like Colorado Technical University ($87,579) and Metropolitan State University ($77,333). While the low debt burden partially offsets the earnings concerns, prospective students should investigate why salaries drop after graduation—this could indicate issues with job placement, employer partnerships, or program reputation that may impact long-term career prospects.