Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite's nursing graduates earn slightly less than typical Virginia nurses right out of the gate—$73,478 versus the state median of $76,056—and that gap doesn't close over time. Four years out, earnings have barely budged to $73,924, placing this program squarely in the middle of the pack nationally (42nd percentile) but below average for Virginia nursing programs (40th percentile). Several Virginia competitors like Shenandoah and Marymount send their graduates into the market earning $7,000-8,000 more annually.

The financial picture isn't problematic, though. At $28,979, debt loads are reasonable and manageable relative to first-year income—you're looking at a ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates owe less than half their starting salary. This compares favorably to many bachelor's programs, and nursing's job stability adds another layer of security. The flat earnings trajectory is the real concern here, suggesting graduates may not be advancing into leadership or specialty roles that typically command higher salaries in nursing.

For families comfortable with middle-of-the-road outcomes and prioritizing EMU's faith-based mission or community, this works as a safe bet. But if maximizing earning potential matters—especially within Virginia—other programs deliver measurably better returns for similar debt levels.