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

Fairfield nursing graduates earn $91,418 in their first year—nearly $17,000 above the national median and $5,000 above Connecticut's already-strong state average. That places this program in the 95th percentile nationally, though it sits in the middle of the pack among Connecticut's nursing schools. With debt at $27,000 (matching both state and national medians), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means graduates can theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross earnings.

The concerning detail: earnings actually decline slightly to $89,845 by year four. This isn't typical for nursing programs, where experience usually commands higher pay. It might reflect graduates moving into lower-paying specialties or settings, or it could simply be statistical noise in a competitive job market. Still, even at year four, these nurses out-earn their peers nationally by $15,000.

For families considering Connecticut nursing programs, Fairfield delivers excellent outcomes but not the state's best. University of Hartford graduates earn $106,000—$15,000 more—while several other Connecticut schools match or exceed Fairfield's numbers at potentially lower cost. If your child is admitted to multiple Connecticut nursing programs, compare net prices carefully. Fairfield's strong outcomes justify moderate debt, but earning $91,000 versus $89,000 may not justify paying significantly more in tuition.