Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Platt College-Aurora

Platt College-Aurora's nursing program produces graduates earning $76,390 in their first year—solidly above both national and Colorado medians for nursing programs. At 60th percentile statewide, it outperforms most Colorado nursing schools, including University of Colorado Denver, though it trails Metropolitan State and Colorado Technical University by roughly $10,000. These are respectable outcomes for a program serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients.

The concerning element here is debt: $51,933 represents nearly double Colorado's typical nursing debt of $30,219 and far exceeds the national median of $27,000. While the 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable by federal standards, your child would graduate owing $20,000+ more than peers at comparable programs like Regis University or Denver College of Nursing, who achieve similar starting salaries. That extra debt translates to roughly $230 more per month in loan payments over ten years—money that compounds significantly over a nursing career.

The math works, but barely. If your child can access more affordable alternatives like Metropolitan State (a public university likely offering lower tuition for Colorado residents), the financial case for Platt weakens considerably. However, if scheduling flexibility or accelerated completion matters and traditional programs don't fit, Platt delivers legitimate career outcomes despite the premium price tag.