Nursing at Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

serving 5,392 students in Littleton, CO.

Program Analysis

At $73,926 per year, Nursing graduates from Arapahoe Community College earn slightly above the $69,474 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 97.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $18,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #219 out of 947 programs, Arapahoe Community College's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $73,926 to $82,903 over five years (12% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

86 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
86
Score
86
High End
Earnings $73,926/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$844K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
97.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,616
Out-of-state: $33,084
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,250
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,903
12% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arapahoe Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arapahoe Community College's Nursing program score?
This program scores 86/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Arapahoe Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Arapahoe Community College?
Median debt of just $18,250 against $73,926/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Arapahoe Community College one of the best schools for Nursing?
Ranked #219 of 947 programs nationally, Arapahoe Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Arapahoe Community College?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →