Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of Saint Mary

Nebraska's nursing market tells a story of steady but unspectacular returns, and this program appears to fit that pattern. Similar associate nursing programs across the state typically produce first-year earnings around $64,000, which puts graduates well behind the national median of $68,400 for this credential. By year four, the $66,644 figure suggests modest growth—nursing jobs generally offer stable employment, but the trajectory here is flatter than what peer programs achieve elsewhere.

The estimated $26,600 in debt is manageable by nursing standards, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that should be serviceable on a nurse's salary. However, comparable programs in Nebraska typically carry less debt (around $18,500), meaning students here may be borrowing more for similar outcomes. Community colleges in the state—Southeast, Metropolitan, and Central—report first-year earnings of $64,000 to $71,000, often with lower debt loads. That's the trade-off parents should understand: a private college setting at a higher price point versus community college alternatives that deliver comparable or better financial results.

For families committed to College of Saint Mary specifically, nursing remains one of the more financially secure paths available. But if maximizing return on investment matters, the community college route in Nebraska offers a stronger value proposition for this same credential and career entry point.