Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community College District

Eastern Iowa Community College District's nursing program charges $30,767 in median debt—substantially more than both the state median ($22,288) and the national median ($20,751) for associate nursing degrees. That higher debt might be justifiable if graduates earned top-tier salaries, but they don't. At $62,338 in first-year earnings, graduates trail the national median by nearly $6,000 and barely exceed Iowa's median of $61,556. Among Iowa's 18 nursing programs, this one ranks only at the 60th percentile—meaning graduates earn less than many Iowa peers who likely paid less for their training. Nearby Kirkwood Community College and Iowa Western both deliver stronger first-year earnings with lower typical debt burdens.

The earnings trajectory raises additional concerns. Rather than climbing as nurses gain experience and certifications, median income actually drops 15% to $52,805 by year four. This decline is unusual in nursing, where experienced RNs typically command higher pay. With a robust sample size of 100+ graduates, this pattern appears genuine rather than statistical noise.

For families considering this program: the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 is manageable, but you're paying above-market rates for below-market results. If staying in Iowa, explore the stronger-performing community college programs first. If you're already set on Eastern Iowa's location or scheduling, understand you'll likely start behind peers financially and that gap may persist.