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

Capella University's nursing program delivers strong initial earnings that outpace most programs nationally, but the concerning downward trajectory should give families pause. At $85,426 in first-year earnings, graduates earn significantly more than the national median of $74,888 and rank in the 85th percentile nationally. However, earnings actually decline to $82,005 by year four—a 4% drop that's unusual in nursing, where experience typically translates to higher pay.

The debt picture is reasonable at $27,826, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33. Within Minnesota, though, the program performs more modestly, ranking only in the 60th percentile among state programs. Capella trails behind Walden University ($88,877) and Saint Mary's University ($84,323) for in-state alternatives, though it does outperform the Minnesota median of $75,577.

The earnings decline from year one to four is the red flag here—it suggests either that initial placement advantages don't sustain, or that career progression may be limited compared to other programs. While the first-year outcomes look attractive, families should investigate why earnings drop rather than grow. For Minnesota residents, exploring higher-performing state options might yield better long-term career trajectories, especially given that several programs show similar or better outcomes without the concerning earnings decline.