Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Paradise Valley Community College

Paradise Valley Community College's nursing program starts graduates at $71,136—comfortably above the national median but trailing most Arizona competitors. At the 40th percentile statewide, it lags behind nearby community colleges like Estrella Mountain ($78,359) and Glendale ($75,418), which suggests Arizona students have notably stronger options even within the public community college system.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable with a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn their debt back in roughly four months. However, the complete absence of earnings growth over four years—just $800 more by year four—should factor into your decision. While nursing typically offers stable, predictable income, other Arizona programs deliver both higher starting salaries and similar debt terms.

If your child has admission offers from multiple Arizona nursing programs, the numbers favor looking elsewhere first. The $2,500-7,200 salary difference compared to top Arizona community colleges compounds significantly over a career. That said, this program still produces nurses earning above the national median with reasonable debt, making it a viable backup option if geography or admissions constraints limit choices.