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

Something unusual happens to Benedictine nursing graduates: they earn $66,204 in their first year—already below both the Kansas median ($68,354) and national average ($74,888)—then see their income drop to $58,658 by year four. That's an 11% decline in a field where steady career progression is typically the norm. While this ranks at the 40th percentile among Kansas nursing programs, it means half of the state's nursing schools deliver better outcomes, including several where graduates earn over $75,000.

The manageable debt load of $22,223 provides some cushion, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.34. However, this advantage diminishes when you consider that competing Kansas programs like Ottawa University and Southwestern College achieve similar debt levels while maintaining earnings $8,000-10,000 higher. The moderate sample size suggests these patterns are reasonably stable, not statistical noise.

For a family weighing this investment, the central question is why earnings would decline during what should be prime career-building years. Whether due to limited alumni networks, regional job market dynamics, or program-specific factors, Benedictine's nursing graduates aren't following the typical upward trajectory. With stronger-performing programs available across Kansas at comparable admission selectivity, this program requires careful scrutiny against alternatives.