Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Empire State University

Empire State University's nursing program punches significantly above its weight in the New York market. While it doesn't crack the state's top tier—trailing schools like Helene Fuld College and the CUNY nursing powerhouses—graduates still earn $94,830 in their first year, placing them at the 95th percentile nationally and comfortably above New York's median of $89,296. That's impressive for a program serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (35%), suggesting strong outcomes across different economic backgrounds.

The debt picture strengthens the value case considerably. At $24,687, graduates carry less burden than both the state and national median ($27,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26—meaning the first year's salary could theoretically cover debt nearly four times over. Earnings also grow steadily to $103,646 by year four, which matters for long-term financial stability. The 60th percentile ranking among New York programs indicates this is a solid mid-tier option in a state with exceptionally strong nursing programs overall.

For families prioritizing manageable debt and reliable post-graduation earnings, this program delivers. You're not getting NYU prestige or Helene Fuld's six-figure starting salaries, but you are getting a nursing degree that launches graduates into strong-paying jobs with minimal financial burden—a combination that's hard to beat.