Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Excelsior University

Excelsior University's nursing program delivers strong initial earning power but shows concerning long-term trends that warrant careful consideration. Graduates earn $77,162 in their first year—significantly above the national median of $68,409 and ranking in the 84th percentile nationally. However, this program sits at just the 60th percentile among New York nursing programs, where the median is $73,415.

The most troubling aspect is the negative earnings trajectory: graduates see their median income drop to $65,804 by year four, representing a 15% decline. This "early peak" pattern is unusual for nursing, where earnings typically grow with experience. While the debt load of $22,486 is reasonable with a manageable 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio, the declining income trend raises questions about career progression and job stability for graduates.

For context, top New York nursing programs like Cochran School of Nursing and CUNY Hostos produce graduates earning over $95,000, suggesting this program may not position students for the highest-paying nursing opportunities in the state. The robust sample size gives confidence in these figures, making the earnings decline particularly concerning rather than a statistical anomaly.

**Bottom line:** While this program offers decent initial earnings and manageable debt, the significant income drop over time suggests graduates may face career advancement challenges that better programs in New York successfully avoid.