Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Alvernia University

Alvernia's nursing program delivers solid first-year outcomes at $77,394, beating the national median and keeping debt manageable at $27,000. That's a healthy 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio that puts graduates in a strong financial position right out of the gate. However, the program falls slightly below Pennsylvania's median of $78,428, landing at the 40th percentile among 52 nursing programs statewide. When you're competing with powerhouses like Immaculata ($87,624) and Villanova ($86,241), that gap matters—especially if your child is comparing in-state options.

The troubling part is the complete earnings stagnation: graduates see just 1% growth from year one to year four, essentially flat-lining at $78,289. Most nursing careers show meaningful salary progression during this period as new nurses gain experience and move into specialized roles or leadership positions. This plateau suggests graduates may face limited advancement opportunities or are concentrated in lower-growth nursing sectors.

For families prioritizing quick employment with reasonable debt, Alvernia gets your child working as an RN without financial stress. But if your child is ambitious about career growth or could access Pennsylvania's stronger nursing programs, those alternatives offer significantly higher earning potential—we're talking $7,000-$10,000 more annually from the start. The value proposition here is "good enough" rather than exceptional, which may be perfectly fine depending on your financial situation and other options on the table.