Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Pima Medical Institute-Denver

Among Colorado's 22 practical nursing programs, graduates here earn less than 75% of peers statewide—just $28,834 in the first year versus the state median of $40,098. This puts Pima Denver in the bottom quarter for Colorado outcomes, while also ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally. For comparison, graduates from nearby Concorde Career College-Aurora start at $57,339, while Morgan Community College grads earn $64,066. Even Pima's own Aurora location produces median earnings of $54,021—nearly double what Denver graduates report.

The $8,000 debt load is relatively modest, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.28. However, that low debt figure reflects poorly against state and national averages because the program costs significantly less yet delivers substantially weaker outcomes. Earnings do grow 23% to $35,578 by year four, but that still trails most Colorado LPN programs by wide margins.

For families considering this certificate, the fundamental issue isn't affordability—it's return on investment. When multiple Colorado community colleges and even another Pima campus produce dramatically better earnings outcomes, this program's value becomes questionable regardless of its lower price tag. Parents should investigate why Denver graduates lag so far behind state peers before enrolling.