Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia's nursing program produces graduates earning $72,393 in their first year—below both the state median ($74,851) and national median ($74,888), placing it in the bottom half of Michigan nursing schools despite the state's strong nursing market. With 28 programs in Michigan alone, this middle-of-the-pack performance means graduates start roughly $2,500 behind their peers at the typical Michigan program, and that gap doesn't close: earnings barely budge to $73,729 after four years, suggesting limited advancement opportunities.

The debt burden of $28,750 isn't excessive relative to starting salary (0.40 ratio), but it's roughly average for nursing programs—which means you're paying typical nursing school costs for below-average outcomes. Compare this to University of Michigan-Flint graduates earning $80,029 or even Alma College's $78,690, and the opportunity cost becomes clear. Michigan has several stronger nursing programs at similar price points.

For a profession known for solid earnings and career stability, Concordia delivers on neither front particularly well. If your child is committed to this school for other reasons (location, fit, scholarships), nursing remains a reasonable major. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters—and with nearly $30,000 in debt, it should—Michigan offers better nursing programs that justify the investment more convincingly.