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

Baker University's nursing program shows an unusual earnings trajectory that parents need to understand before committing $29,577 in debt. New graduates start at $70,720—above Kansas's median but below the national average—then see their earnings drop to $66,572 by year four. This 6% decline is atypical for nursing, where steady career progression is normally expected.

The program's 60th percentile ranking among Kansas nursing schools tells only part of the story. While it beats more than half of in-state competitors, it lags the top programs by roughly $10,000 annually. More concerning is the 27th percentile national ranking, suggesting Kansas nursing salaries generally trail other states. The debt load, though near national norms, becomes less manageable when paired with declining earnings rather than growing ones.

With a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income—a figure that worsens as earnings drop—graduates face 40-50% of their starting salary in debt. For families prioritizing job security and reasonable debt, nursing still delivers that baseline. But if you're comparing Kansas options, Ottawa University and Southwestern College graduates are earning $6,000-$10,000 more annually with similar debt burdens. That gap compounds significantly over a career, making those alternatives worth serious consideration despite Baker's accessible 92% admission rate.