Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at GateWay Community College

GateWay Community College's nursing program launches graduates into solid first-year earnings of $74,062—well above the national median of $68,409 and placing graduates in the 76th percentile nationally. That's strong initial performance for an associate degree program that costs just $21,225 in median debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29.

The complication is trajectory. Within four years, earnings slip slightly to $72,265, and the program ranks at the 60th percentile among Arizona's 23 nursing programs—respectable but not elite. Top performers like Estrella Mountain ($78,359) and several Carrington College campuses show what stronger positioning looks like in the same state market. Still, GateWay beats the state median of $73,629 initially and carries lower debt than Arizona's typical $22,872.

For families weighing community college nursing options in Phoenix, this program delivers immediate job-market value at reasonable cost. The modest earnings dip likely reflects Arizona's nursing market dynamics rather than program quality, and the debt burden remains manageable even if income plateaus. If your child can access higher-performing programs like Estrella Mountain without significantly more debt, compare carefully. Otherwise, GateWay offers a dependable path into nursing that won't saddle graduates with outsized loans.