Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Bachelor's Degree
barnesjewishcollege.eduAnalysis
This nursing program presents concerning value compared to alternatives, with graduates earning significantly less than they could elsewhere. Starting salaries of $66,925 fall in just the 12th percentile nationally for nursing programs—meaning 88% of similar programs produce higher-earning graduates. Even within Missouri, this program sits at the 40th percentile, with several state schools like University of Missouri-Columbia offering $5,000+ higher starting salaries for likely lower tuition costs.
The debt picture is reasonable at $27,750, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. However, the troubling trend is that earnings actually decline by 2% from year one to year four, suggesting limited career advancement opportunities for graduates. This "early peak" pattern is unusual in nursing, where most programs see steady salary growth as nurses gain experience and specialization.
Given that Missouri has 36 nursing programs to choose from, including several that dramatically outperform this one, parents should seriously question whether Barnes-Jewish College justifies its cost. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend this specific program, your child would likely achieve better financial outcomes at University of Missouri-Columbia or other state alternatives that offer both higher starting salaries and stronger long-term earning potential.
Where Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing | $66,925 | $65,605 | -2% |
| Chamberlain University-Missouri | $83,188 | $81,995 | -1% |
| Research College of Nursing | $75,705 | $71,945 | -5% |
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | $73,569 | $69,048 | -6% |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | $73,569 | $69,048 | -6% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (36 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of NursingSaint Louis | — | $66,925 | $65,605 | $27,750 | 0.41 |
 Chamberlain University-MissouriSt. Louis | $19,686 | $83,188 | $81,995 | $39,146 | 0.47 |
 Research College of NursingKansas City | — | $75,705 | $71,945 | $27,000 | 0.36 |
 Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended StudiesFayette | $6,960 | $73,569 | $69,048 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesFayette | $27,140 | $73,569 | $69,048 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
 University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia | $14,130 | $72,300 | $63,832 | $23,250 | 0.32 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 681 graduates with reported earnings and 695 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.