Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson produces nursing graduates who out-earn 74% of similar programs nationally, but that strong national showing tells only half the story. Within Arizona, these graduates earn roughly at the state median—$73,509 versus $73,629—meaning about half of the state's 23 nursing programs deliver better first-year outcomes. With several community colleges in the Phoenix area pushing graduates past $75,000, parents should understand they're paying a premium ($29,761 in debt versus Arizona's typical $22,872) for middle-of-the-pack in-state results.

The debt situation deserves attention here. While the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, graduates are borrowing about 30% more than their peers at other Arizona nursing programs. That extra $7,000 in debt matters when earnings essentially flatline over the first four years—from $73,509 to $72,992. For context, this debt load sits in the 17th percentile nationally (meaning 83% of programs burden students with more), but Arizona-specific options deliver comparable or better earnings with significantly less borrowing.

For families prioritizing the strongest return in Arizona's nursing market, community college pathways like Estrella Mountain or Glendale offer $2,000-$5,000 higher earnings with substantially lower debt. Pima Medical Institute gets graduates employed at competitive wages, but it's not the value leader in this state's crowded nursing education landscape.