Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mineral Area College

Mineral Area College's nursing program delivers respectable first-year earnings of $60,071, but the complete flatness—essentially zero growth over four years—reveals a troubling limitation. While the debt load of $15,666 is manageable and lower than both state and national medians, graduates start $8,000 below Missouri's median for nursing programs and nearly $8,400 below the national benchmark. That 5th percentile national ranking is particularly stark.

The Missouri context offers little comfort. At the 40th percentile statewide, Mineral Area trails most community college nursing programs in the state—St. Charles, Saint Louis, Jefferson, and others all place graduates earning $7,000-$8,000 more annually. Given that nursing salaries typically have clear regional ranges and advancement opportunities, the stagnant earnings suggest graduates may be concentrated in lower-paying facilities or roles with limited mobility. The program serves a meaningful population (31% Pell recipients), but the career trajectory data doesn't inspire confidence.

For families weighing options, the lower debt is the program's strongest selling point, making it less risky than some alternatives. However, if your child can access one of Missouri's higher-performing community college nursing programs—particularly those in the St. Louis area—the $7,000+ annual earnings premium would quickly offset any marginal difference in costs or logistics. This program works if it's genuinely the most accessible option, but it shouldn't be the first choice for Missouri students with alternatives.