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

Creighton University's nursing program starts strong but faces an unusual challenge: graduates earn less four years out than they do immediately after graduation. While first-year earnings of $77,587 exceed both national and Nebraska medians by roughly $3,000, that advantage disappears as earnings drop to $71,352 by year four—a concerning 8% decline that runs counter to typical career progression.

Among Nebraska's 11 nursing programs, Creighton ranks solidly in the middle at the 60th percentile, trailing programs like Doane University ($80,849) but still competitive within the state. The $27,000 debt load matches the national median exactly and sits $3,875 below Nebraska's typical nursing debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that most families can handle comfortably.

The earnings decline raises questions about whether Creighton graduates face different career trajectories than their peers—perhaps working in lower-paying specialties or geographic markets over time. However, the program's robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these numbers, and the reasonable debt load means even the lower four-year earnings still provide solid financial returns. For families prioritizing immediate earning potential and manageable debt, this program delivers, but the earnings trajectory warrants discussion with current students and recent alumni.