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

Bluefield University's nursing program posts first-year earnings of $70,698—roughly $5,000 below Virginia's median for nursing programs and about $4,000 below the national benchmark. While landing at the 40th percentile among Virginia nursing schools isn't disastrous, it's worth noting that Virginia has strong nursing programs overall, and this one falls in the lower half. The higher debt burden compounds the concern: at $22,442, graduates here carry less debt than typical nursing students, but they're also earning less to pay it off.

The flatline earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term prospects. Most nursing graduates see meaningful salary growth as they gain experience and certifications, but Bluefield graduates show essentially zero wage progression between years one and four. This stagnation could reflect limited career advancement opportunities or geographic constraints in rural Southwest Virginia, where healthcare job markets may not offer the same upward mobility as urban areas.

The program does maintain a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, meaning graduates start with less than four months' salary in debt—a reasonable starting point for entering the workforce. But when peers at Virginia's top nursing programs earn $10,000-$12,000 more annually right out of the gate, that gap accumulates quickly. If your child is committed to staying in the Bluefield area, this program gets them credentialed affordably. Otherwise, exploring Virginia nursing programs in the 60th percentile and above would likely deliver better financial returns.