Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Beckfield College-Florence

Beckfield College graduates enter nursing with significantly higher debt than their peers—$49,805 versus a national median of $27,000—but they're also earning more right out of the gate. At $83,033 in first-year earnings, these nurses outpace both Kentucky's typical nursing graduate ($70,523) and the national median ($74,888). That places them in the 79th percentile nationally and at the 60th percentile among Kentucky programs, beating well-known names like Galen College of Nursing. The debt burden is real, but the 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are taking home more than they owe in their first year—a threshold many programs can't match.

The concern here is whether the premium price tag is justified when University of Pikeville and University of the Cumberlands produce similar or slightly better earnings outcomes. With over half of Beckfield students on Pell grants, that extra $20,000+ in debt affects families who typically have fewer financial cushions. However, if your child has already been admitted and nursing is the goal, the employment prospects appear solid. Kentucky has 23 nursing programs, and this one consistently places graduates in the top half for earnings.

For families comfortable with higher debt in exchange for above-average starting salaries, Beckfield delivers on income. But compare your actual financial aid package against public alternatives before committing—that debt difference compounds over the repayment period.