Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College's nursing graduates earn about $9,000 less annually than the national median for associate-degree nurses—a significant gap that persists four years after graduation. While $59,000 is a livable wage, it puts this program in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and slightly below Iowa's state median of $61,556. More concerning, every other major nursing program in Iowa produces measurably higher outcomes, with Iowa Western graduates earning over $6,000 more per year from the start.

The debt load of $19,500 is reasonable and actually below Iowa's average, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio. But that's cold comfort when nearby alternatives deliver both higher earnings and similar or lower debt. The flat earnings trajectory suggests graduates aren't positioned for strong advancement, though nursing's stable compensation means they're unlikely to see major declines either.

If your child is set on staying in the Des Moines area, this program leads to steady employment in a stable field. But if flexibility exists, Iowa Western or Kirkwood would be stronger investments with meaningfully better earnings from day one. The $5,000-6,000 annual difference compounds substantially over a career—that's potentially $150,000+ over 30 years without even accounting for raises or promotions.