Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Pueblo Community College

Graduates from Pueblo Community College's practical nursing program earn $25,507 one year after completion—roughly half what nursing assistants and LPNs typically earn in Colorado ($40,098 median) and far below the national benchmark of $44,134. Even more concerning, this places the program in just the 10th percentile statewide, meaning 90% of similar programs in Colorado produce better outcomes. Other Colorado community colleges like Otero and Morgan achieve earnings above $64,000 for the same credential, suggesting location alone doesn't explain these results.

The relatively modest debt of $9,975 softens the blow, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. However, that's cold comfort when the underlying earnings are so low that graduates may struggle to build financial stability even without crushing debt. The sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—so these numbers could shift, but they align with the program's consistently poor state and national rankings.

For parents considering this program, the data suggests looking elsewhere in Colorado first. Multiple community colleges in the state deliver dramatically better outcomes for the same investment of time and money. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to stay in Pueblo, your child would likely be better served by a nursing program that actually positions them for middle-class wages in their first year.