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

Bellarmine's nursing program presents an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny: graduates earn $70,544 in their first year—right at Kentucky's median—but see their income drop 9% by year four. This decline is particularly striking given that nursing typically offers steady salary progression as professionals gain experience and credentials.

The program does have some advantages. At $30,800 in debt, graduates are borrowing slightly more than Kentucky's typical nursing student but landing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, which is manageable. Among Kentucky's 23 nursing programs, Bellarmine performs solidly at the 60th percentile, though it trails schools like Beckfield College-Florence and University of Pikeville by over $12,000 in starting salary. Nationally, the program ranks in just the 26th percentile, meaning three-quarters of nursing programs deliver stronger first-year outcomes.

The backward earnings trajectory is the real concern here. While some graduates may be reducing hours or shifting to less intensive roles, a nearly $6,300 decline suggests structural issues worth investigating—whether that's limited advancement opportunities for Bellarmine alumni or geographic constraints in the Louisville market. For the investment, you'd want assurance that your child will be among those whose careers progress rather than plateau. The 94% admission rate and reasonable debt load make this an accessible option, but the earnings data suggests it won't position graduates at the front of Kentucky's competitive nursing market.