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

Barton College's nursing program sits in the middle of North Carolina's nursing landscape—graduates earn about $69,000 in year one, below both the state median of $72,000 and well under top performers like Chamberlain ($83,000) or University of Mount Olive ($81,000). More concerning is the earnings trajectory: rather than gaining experience and advancing, graduates see their median income drop to $66,000 by year four. This backward slide is unusual in a field where nurses typically move into better-paying positions over time.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $28,000, borrowing sits close to state and national norms, creating a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a family seeking an accessible path into nursing—Barton admits 96% of applicants and serves a substantial share of lower-income students—this represents a functional entry point. But you're paying similar amounts for below-average outcomes compared to other NC programs.

The question is whether Barton's accessibility justifies the earnings gap. If your daughter has options at higher-performing NC programs, those would deliver better returns on similar debt. If this is the most realistic path to a nursing credential, the debt load won't be crushing, but recognize she'll likely need to be strategic about her career moves to match what graduates from stronger programs achieve right out of the gate.