Is Cochran School of Nursing Worth It?

Cochran School of Nursing gives you one thing, and it does it well: a nursing credential that pays. Ten years out, the median graduate earns $99,503, and the median debt sits at $19,625. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio most four-year schools can't match, and it comes from a single-focus associate program in registered nursing.

This is a one-program school, so the ROI question is simple. Registered Nursing here reports $75,518 in early-career earnings against under $20,000 in debt. In the Yonkers and greater New York metro market, hospital and clinical demand for RNs is steady, and licensed nurses command wages that clear that debt quickly. There is no weak major to warn you about, because there is no second major to compare against.

The financial risk is narrow but real. Everything depends on passing your licensing exam and finishing the program. An associate nursing degree that doesn't lead to licensure leaves you with debt and no credential to service it. If you drop before finishing, the debt stays and the earnings don't materialize. This is not a school where a general education pivot cushions a bad outcome.

You're a good fit here if you want to become an RN, you're ready to commit to the clinical track, and you value a fast, low-debt path into a licensed job. Look elsewhere if you want a broad academic experience, are unsure about nursing, or need a four-year degree for your goals.

On net price: lower-income tiers will lean on Pell and other grants, and 44% of students here receive Pell. Middle and higher-income families should price out the actual net figure by tier before assuming affordability, since the sticker and the tiered net price can differ sharply. Given the debt levels graduates carry, the aid picture here is working in your favor.