Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at East Tennessee State University

This nursing program presents a concerning value proposition with earnings that significantly underperform both national and state benchmarks. Graduates earn a median of $64,459 in their first year—about $10,000 below the national average for nursing programs and $2,600 below Tennessee's median. More troubling is the program's ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar nursing programs produce better-earning graduates. Even within Tennessee, where this program sits at the 40th percentile among 32 nursing schools, there are clearly stronger options available.

The financial picture becomes more problematic when considering the negative earnings trajectory—graduates actually see their pay decline by 3% from year one to year four, dropping to $62,240. While the debt load of $25,091 is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, you're paying for significantly diminished earning potential. Several Tennessee alternatives offer substantially better outcomes: Strayer University-Tennessee graduates earn $81,061, and even public options like UT-Martin produce graduates earning $71,727.

For parents considering this program, the data suggests looking elsewhere. With Tennessee offering 32 nursing programs and this one performing in the bottom half statewide, your investment would likely yield better returns at alternative institutions that better prepare graduates for higher-paying nursing careers.