Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Three Rivers College

Three Rivers College's nursing program delivers solid first-year earnings that beat Missouri's state median by $2,700, landing in the 60th percentile among Missouri nursing programs—a meaningful advantage for students planning to work in-state. At $17,490 in debt, graduates finish with about 20% less debt than typical Missouri nursing students, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 that looks quite reasonable for an associate degree program.

The complication here is what happens after that strong start. Earnings drop to $59,964 by year four, creating a puzzling downward trajectory. This isn't necessarily alarming—many nurses shift to lower-paying specialties by choice, move to part-time schedules for family reasons, or pursue further education—but it does mean the initial salary advantage diminishes over time. While Three Rivers graduates start ahead of the state median, they end up below it by year four.

For families weighing options, Three Rivers offers a financially sensible path into nursing, particularly compared to pricier state alternatives. The low debt burden and respectable starting salary create breathing room for graduates to establish themselves professionally. However, families should understand this program serves as a solid entry point rather than a fast track to top-tier nursing compensation in Missouri.