Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pratt Community College

Pratt Community College's nursing graduates start strong with $70,680 in first-year earnings—well above the Kansas median of $62,370 and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. With just under $16,000 in debt, graduates owe less than a quarter of their first-year salary, creating a manageable financial foundation for entering the nursing field. Among Kansas community colleges offering nursing, Pratt graduates earn competitively, trailing only Rasmussen and Labette.

The complication here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see an 8% decline by year four, dropping to $64,921. This isn't necessarily alarming—it may reflect part-time work choices, relocation patterns, or career transitions—but it does mean graduates shouldn't expect steady salary growth in the immediate years after completion. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it difficult to know whether this pattern is typical or an artifact of a few individuals' circumstances.

For Kansas families looking at associate's nursing programs, Pratt offers solid value: higher-than-average starting earnings with below-average debt. The debt load is manageable enough that even if earnings remain flat or dip slightly, graduates should be financially stable. Just understand that this program appears to position students for immediate employment rather than a steep upward earnings curve.