Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at North Central Missouri College

North Central Missouri College's nursing program sits in an unusual position: it outperforms more than half of Missouri's nursing programs in first-year earnings, yet trails the national median and shows a troubling 10% earnings decline by year four. That earnings drop—from $66,504 to $59,936—distinguishes this program from Missouri's strongest performers, which maintain steadier trajectories.

The debt load of $24,667 is manageable at 37% of first-year income, placing graduates in a reasonable position to repay loans quickly. However, the declining earnings pattern raises questions about whether graduates are finding stable positions in higher-paying specialties or healthcare systems. While the program beats Missouri's state median by over $3,000 initially, by year four graduates are earning less than the typical Missouri nursing associate degree holder.

For Missouri families, this represents a functional but not exceptional nursing pathway. The 60th percentile state ranking means your child would likely earn more at programs like St. Louis Community College or Jefferson College, which sustain earnings above $68,000. If North Central offers geographic convenience or a supportive learning environment that matters to your family, the debt level won't create financial hardship. But if you're comparing options purely on economic returns, several Missouri community colleges deliver better long-term results for similar or lower debt.