Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Alcorn State University

Alcorn State's nursing graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $85,255—well above both the state median ($69,931) and national average ($74,888). That's impressive for a school serving predominantly Pell-eligible students. However, the 15% earnings decline by year four reveals an unusual pattern that deserves scrutiny. While the moderate sample size means individual career paths can skew results, nursing careers typically show steady income growth, not shrinkage.

Within Mississippi, this program sits at the 60th percentile—solid but trailing Mississippi University for Women and William Carey. The debt load of $28,100 is reasonable with that initial salary, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33. For families concerned about affordability, those numbers work, especially compared to private alternatives charging similar tuition but producing lower outcomes.

The real question is what happens after that first year. Are graduates moving to lower-paying settings? Switching roles? Without clearer data on career trajectories, the earnings drop creates uncertainty. For students planning to stay in Mississippi and enter nursing immediately after graduation, Alcorn delivers competitive preparation at a manageable cost. Just understand you're betting on that strong launch continuing, which the four-year data doesn't yet confirm.