Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at D'Youville University

D'Youville's nursing program positions graduates solidly around the national average, but there's a significant gap when compared to other New York options. Earnings of $75,587 sit at the 53rd percentile nationally—perfectly respectable—yet trail the state median by nearly $14,000. That 25th percentile ranking among New York programs is striking given the state's strong nursing market, where several public universities place graduates earning $110,000-plus. The modest debt load of $31,000 is competitive, but New York nurses generally command premium salaries that D'Youville graduates aren't quite accessing.

The stagnant earnings trajectory raises questions about career progression. While many nursing programs show steady growth as graduates gain experience and certifications, D'Youville alumni essentially earn the same in year four as year one. This isn't catastrophic—the 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can manage payments—but it suggests limited advancement opportunities or perhaps a concentration in lower-paying nursing specialties.

For New York families, the calculation here is straightforward: public alternatives like SUNY Downstate place graduates earning 50% more for similar debt. If your child is committed to D'Youville for campus culture or location reasons, the program is financially manageable. But from a pure return-on-investment perspective, this represents the lower tier of what New York nursing programs deliver, despite being positioned near the middle nationally.