Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State's nursing program shows an unusual pattern that deserves attention: graduates earn $66,764 in their first year but see earnings **drop** to $61,976 by year four. While Ohio's nursing market is strong, this program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Ohio nursing schools—roughly middle of the pack, but notably behind top performers like Chamberlain ($83,188) and Kettering ($79,505). The $27,500 in typical debt is reasonable with a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, but you're financing entry-level wages that decline rather than grow.

The earnings dip raises questions about career trajectory. Are graduates switching to lower-paid nursing roles? Working reduced hours? This isn't typical—most nursing programs see steady or rising earnings as nurses gain experience and specialized certifications. Given that Cleveland State serves a significant population of first-generation students (39% receive Pell grants), the accessible admission standards matter, but the outcomes suggest graduates may face challenges advancing in a competitive Cleveland healthcare market where stronger programs produce better results.

For anxious parents weighing options: if your child is admitted to one of Ohio's higher-ranked programs, those would likely offer stronger career positioning. If Cleveland State is the choice due to location or financial constraints, plan for additional professional development investments—specialized certifications or advanced training—to reverse that earnings slide and reach the $74,888 national median most nursing graduates achieve.