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

Fairmont State's nursing program stands out for its exceptionally low debt burden—graduates carry just $33,625, well below both the national and state median of $27,000, placing this program in the 18th percentile for debt nationally. That financial advantage matters, because while first-year earnings of $77,962 comfortably exceed West Virginia's median for nursing programs ($71,298), they slip to $70,701 by year four. Among West Virginia's 16 nursing programs, Fairmont State ranks around the 60th percentile, meaning graduates earn more than average but trail higher-performing programs like American Public University System ($85,161) and Shepherd University ($75,914).

The earnings dip deserves attention. Whether it reflects job mobility, part-time work decisions, or regional employment patterns, that 9% decline is unusual for nursing, where incomes typically stabilize or grow. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a manageable position even if earnings plateau.

For West Virginia families, this represents a financially prudent nursing path. Your child will graduate with less debt than peers at most programs while earning solidly above the state average early on. The declining earnings trajectory suggests you'll want to understand whether graduates stay local or move, and whether four-year patterns reflect career choices rather than weak job prospects.