Median Earnings (1yr)
$93,690
95th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$31,000
15% above national median

Analysis

Dominican's nursing graduates earn $93,690 in their first year—well above the national median but solidly middle-of-the-pack for New York, where nursing salaries run high across the board. With debt of $31,000, you're paying about 33 cents for every dollar of first-year earnings, which represents a manageable investment. The 9% earnings growth to $102,295 by year four shows steady progression, though it doesn't dramatically narrow the gap with top-performing NY programs like Helene Fuld ($119,170) or CUNY options that deliver six-figure outcomes.

The key question is whether the private school premium makes sense when SUNY and CUNY programs deliver stronger earnings at likely lower tuition. Dominican's 79% admission rate and robust sample size suggest consistent placement into good nursing positions, and that $31,000 debt load won't overwhelm early-career budgets. But you're not getting the premium earnings that would justify premium pricing—at the 60th percentile statewide, this is a middle-tier outcome in a state with exceptional nursing education options.

If your child needs a smaller, private college environment and you can afford the differential without excessive borrowing, Dominican produces competent nurses with decent earning trajectories. Just recognize you're choosing institutional fit over financial optimization—CUNY or SUNY programs would likely deliver better returns on investment.

Where Dominican University New York Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Dominican University New York graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Dominican University New York$93,690$102,295+9%
St. Francis College$81,263$114,191+41%
Mercy University$90,933$113,576+25%
CUNY Lehman College$101,531$112,500+11%
Farmingdale State College$103,508$111,965+8%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (61 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Dominican University New YorkOrangeburg$33,060$93,690$102,295$31,0000.33
Helene Fuld College of NursingNew York$24,648$119,170$111,944
CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn$7,352$115,779$109,153$21,2130.18
CUNY York CollegeJamaica$7,358$113,718$101,249$12,1250.11
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences UniversityBrooklyn$112,670$107,199$22,0230.20
New York UniversityNew York$60,438$111,360$106,295$25,5000.23
National Median$74,888$27,0000.36

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Dominican University New York, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 182 graduates with reported earnings and 185 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.