Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College's nursing program delivers strong immediate results—graduates earn $69,492 in their first year, placing them above 60% of Wisconsin nursing programs and beating the state median by $4,400. With $23,750 in median debt, the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 is manageable, representing about four months of gross pay. For a technical college serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these entry-level outcomes are solid.

The concerning part: earnings drop to $56,953 by year four, an 18% decline that's unusual in nursing where experience typically commands higher pay. This could reflect graduates moving to part-time work, leaving hospital settings for lower-paying but more flexible roles, or local labor market dynamics in the Janesville area. It means the financial picture looks considerably different four years out than it does at graduation.

For parents evaluating this program, focus on that first-year number—it's competitive with Wisconsin's top-performing nursing programs and suggests graduates are employment-ready. The debt level won't become burdensome if your child maintains full-time nursing work. Just understand that the earnings trajectory here doesn't follow the typical upward nursing career path, which may matter depending on your child's long-term career plans and financial obligations.