Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pikes Peak State College

Nursing bachelor's programs in Colorado cluster tightly around $75,000 in first-year earnings, and peer programs at similar community colleges suggest Pikes Peak graduates should land in that range. That's a solid starting salary, though it's worth noting that several Colorado programs—particularly Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs at $87,579—show nursing grads can earn considerably more depending on where they complete their training.

The estimated $28,000 debt load aligns closely with both national ($27,000) and state ($30,219) benchmarks for nursing programs, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. That means graduates would need roughly five months of their first year's salary to cover their total debt—manageable territory for a field with steady employment prospects. Pikes Peak serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (31%), suggesting the program provides an accessible pathway into a stable profession.

The limitation here is that these figures come from comparable Colorado programs rather than tracked outcomes from Pikes Peak's specific nursing graduates. Given how nursing salaries can vary by employer type and location even within the same metro area, your student's actual outcome could differ. Still, the estimated financial picture—moderate debt for solid entry-level earnings in a high-demand field—suggests this represents a reasonable investment, particularly for students who need an affordable local option to enter healthcare.