Is Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora Worth It?

Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora delivers disappointing financial returns that fall well below national averages for nursing programs. With median earnings of just $34,657 ten years after graduation, graduates earn roughly $15,000 less annually than typical nursing program alumni nationwide.

The school's single focus on nursing means you have no alternative majors to consider if nursing doesn't pan out financially. This concentration creates significant risk since nursing salaries in the Denver-Aurora area typically start higher than what graduates here achieve even a decade later. Most Colorado nursing programs produce graduates earning $45,000-55,000 within their first few years.

The relatively low median debt of $9,500 provides the only bright spot in this financial picture. However, even this modest borrowing amount becomes problematic when paired with such weak earning outcomes. Your debt-to-income ratio will likely exceed recommended levels for the first several years after graduation.

This school makes financial sense only if you can attend with minimal borrowing and have realistic expectations about starting salaries. Colorado's nursing job market remains strong, but Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates appear to struggle securing the higher-paying positions that justify nursing school costs.

You should seriously consider alternative nursing programs in Colorado that demonstrate stronger graduate earning outcomes. State schools like Metropolitan State University of Denver or University of Colorado offer nursing programs with significantly better financial returns. Private non-profit options like Regis University also typically produce graduates with higher earning potential, even accounting for potentially higher tuition costs.