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

Dillard's nursing program produces first-year earnings of $86,585—well above Louisiana's median of $78,065 and higher than most reporting programs in the state. But the debt picture is harder to pin down. The $41,492 estimate comes from the state median for similar programs at comparable institutions, which sits notably above both the national median ($27,000) and Louisiana's typical $28,143. That produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning graduates would need about six months of first-year salary to cover their loans—manageable for nursing but not exceptional.

What should concern parents is the earnings trajectory: new nurses here start strong but see incomes drop to $73,046 by year four, a 16% decline that runs counter to typical nursing career progression. This could reflect differences in where graduates work over time, sample variation in small cohorts, or other factors that the limited data can't clarify. The strong first-year number suggests Dillard grads are competitive initially, but the pattern afterward raises questions that prospective students should ask the school directly—particularly about where recent graduates are working and whether they're staying in nursing roles.

For families concerned about debt and serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (68%), that estimated $41,000 borrowing level deserves scrutiny. If actual debt runs lower than the state benchmark used here, this program could represent solid value. But parents should request school-specific financial aid outcomes before committing.