Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College's nursing program produces first-year graduates earning $76,014—well above both the national median ($68,409) and Colorado's median ($71,592) for associate nursing programs. Among Colorado's 15 nursing programs, it ranks in the 60th percentile, with only Morgan Community College edging it out among community colleges. The concerning part? Graduates take on $30,625 in debt, roughly 40% more than the state median and significantly above the national benchmark.

Here's the tradeoff: you're paying premium prices for strong immediate outcomes. That first-year salary advantage matters enormously for new nurses, potentially covering the extra debt quickly. However, earnings drop to $66,118 by year four—a 13% decline that's unusual in nursing, where salaries typically rise with experience. This could signal graduates moving to part-time work, leaving the field, or working in lower-paying specialties, though robust sample sizes (100+ graduates) make data errors unlikely.

For families comfortable with the higher debt load, those strong entry-level earnings provide real leverage. But if keeping debt minimal is the priority, Arapahoe or Pikes Peak offer nearly identical outcomes at lower cost. The program works if your child plans to work full-time immediately after graduation and can capitalize on that initial salary advantage.