Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Elizabethtown College

Based on comparable nursing programs across Pennsylvania, Elizabethtown's BSN appears positioned right at the state median—with estimated first-year earnings around $78,400 and debt near $28,800. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, suggesting graduates from similar programs can manage their debt load on a single year's salary. However, it's worth noting that several PA nursing programs produce notably higher outcomes: graduates from Immaculata, Villanova, and Thomas Jefferson report earnings $7,000-9,000 above the state median.

The national picture provides useful context here. Pennsylvania nursing programs collectively outperform the national median ($78,400 vs. $74,900), and the estimated debt aligns closely with the national median of $27,000. Nursing remains one of the more reliable career investments at the bachelor's level, with immediate employment demand and clear salary progression—though starting salaries can vary significantly by hospital system, specialty, and geographic location within the state.

For families considering Elizabethtown, the challenge is distinguishing between programs when actual outcomes data isn't available. The relatively accessible admissions (77% acceptance rate) and lower Pell grant population (19%) suggest a different student profile than some competitors, but without school-specific earnings data, you're essentially betting on regional nursing market conditions rather than demonstrated institutional outcomes. If comparable schools nearby can provide actual graduate data, that would offer more concrete evidence for your decision.