Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Alverno College

Alverno's nursing program charges $34,000 in median debt—significantly higher than both the state and national median of $27,000—yet produces graduates earning below both Wisconsin's median ($72,463) and the national benchmark ($74,888). At the 40th percentile statewide, this means three out of five Wisconsin nursing programs deliver better earnings outcomes, often with less debt.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income drop 3% by year four, from $72,005 to $69,945. While nursing typically offers stable career progression, Alverno graduates appear to hit a ceiling quickly. Compare this to the Herzing campuses across Wisconsin, where graduates start at $75,774, or UW-Madison at $75,513—both providing stronger launching points for similar or lower debt loads.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 isn't catastrophic, and Alverno serves a mission-driven population (49% Pell recipients). But from a pure return-on-investment perspective, your child could access stronger nursing programs within Wisconsin that cost less and pay more from day one. Given nursing's portability and the availability of better alternatives in-state, this program requires a compelling non-financial reason to justify the premium.