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

Bellin College nursing graduates start with respectable salaries around $67,000, but that's where the story stalls. Four years later, earnings remain essentially flat—unusual in a field where nurses typically see steady income growth through experience and specialization. Among Wisconsin's 28 nursing programs, Bellin sits at just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten nursing programs in the state produce stronger earnings outcomes. Compare that to UW-Madison or the Herzing campuses, where graduates earn $8,000-9,000 more annually.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $27,000, it's right at both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. But the absence of earnings growth raises questions about whether Bellin's curriculum and clinical partnerships are positioning graduates for advancement. Wisconsin nurses generally earn well into the $70,000s, suggesting Bellin graduates may be concentrated in lower-tier hospital systems or outpatient settings with limited upward mobility.

For families choosing among Wisconsin nursing schools, this is a safe but underwhelming option. The 100% admission rate and low Pell grant numbers (just 13%) suggest limited competitiveness. Your child will become a licensed nurse, but they'll likely start behind peers from other Wisconsin programs—and the data suggests they may stay behind. If Bellin offers geographic convenience or strong clinical rotations at specific hospitals you value, it could work. Otherwise, several Wisconsin alternatives deliver better returns for the same debt load.