Nursing at Cox College

Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

With 71% of applicants admitted, Cox College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 634 students in Springfield, MO.

Program Analysis

At $58,667 per year, Nursing graduates from Cox College earn below the $69,474 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 20.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $20,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #890 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Cox College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $58,667 to $62,919 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $58,667/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$636K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
20.4x
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
$31,198
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,919
7% 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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Cox College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cox 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 Cox College's Nursing program score?
At 68/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Cox College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Cox College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Cox College a good choice for Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Cox College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
If Cox College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Nursing graduates from Cox College find jobs?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Cox College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →