Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mesa Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Mesa Community College's nursing program launches graduates into strong first-year earnings at $73,639—above the national median and right at Arizona's typical starting point. But there's a catch parents need to understand: by year four, earnings actually slip to $68,364, a pattern that's unusual for nursing careers which typically show steady wage growth.
Within Arizona's competitive nursing landscape, this program sits in the middle of the pack. Several community colleges—including Estrella Mountain and Glendale—produce graduates earning $2,000-$5,000 more annually, suggesting Mesa's clinical partnerships or alumni networks may not be quite as strong. The $22,750 debt load is manageable given nursing's earning power (it would take roughly four months of gross pay to cover), though it's slightly above the national median for associate nursing programs.
The backwards earnings trajectory deserves investigation. It could reflect graduates moving from higher-paying hospital shift work to clinic positions, or perhaps employment data capturing part-time schedules. For parents, the key question is whether your child plans to stay in the Phoenix metro area—if so, Glendale or Estrella Mountain offer similar convenience with better salary outcomes. Mesa gets you licensed and working quickly with reasonable debt, but it's not optimizing your child's Arizona earning potential.
Where Mesa Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Mesa Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Mesa Community College graduates earn $74k, placing them in the 75th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Community College | $73,639 | $68,364 | $22,750 | 0.31 |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | $78,359 | $69,166 | $34,003 | 0.43 |
| Carrington College-Tucson | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Carrington College-Mesa | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Carrington College-Phoenix North | $76,515 | $76,747 | $32,969 | 0.43 |
| Glendale Community College | $75,418 | $75,496 | $24,741 | 0.33 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Arizona
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arizona schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale | $2,358 | $78,359 | $34,003 |
| Carrington College-Tucson Tucson | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
| Carrington College-Mesa Mesa | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
| Carrington College-Phoenix North Phoenix | — | $76,515 | $32,969 |
| Glendale Community College Glendale | $2,358 | $75,418 | $24,741 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mesa Community College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 127 graduates with reported earnings and 259 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.