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

Mohave Community College nursing graduates start strong at nearly $74,000—beating both national and Arizona medians right out of the gate. But here's the catch that matters: by year four, earnings drop to $67,589, falling behind the state average while graduates from Estrella Mountain and several Carrington campuses maintain higher trajectories. With solid sample size backing these numbers, this pattern deserves attention.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $17,812, it's roughly $5,000 below Arizona's typical nursing debt and creates a manageable 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's a meaningful advantage in a field where many programs saddle students with heavier loans. For families watching budgets closely, this lower debt load partially offsets concerns about the earnings decline.

The real question is why earnings drop 8% over those first four years when nursing typically offers steady income growth. It could reflect rural market constraints in the Kingman area, with new grads perhaps needing to relocate for advancement. If your child plans to stay local, investigate career progression opportunities carefully. If they're willing to move to Phoenix or Tucson after gaining experience, this program offers affordable entry to nursing—just don't expect the impressive starting salary to keep climbing.