Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Finger Lakes Community College

Finger Lakes Community College's nursing program produces graduates earning $69,652 in their first year—solid income that comes with manageable debt of $25,537. But there's a catch: by year four, those earnings drop to $61,539, a decline that's unusual in a field where most nurses see steady wage growth.

Within New York, this program lands at the 40th percentile—significantly behind both the state median of $73,415 and top performers like Cochran School of Nursing, where graduates earn over $102,000. The earnings gap isn't about debt burden (which is actually reasonable at 0.37 times first-year income). It suggests possible differences in employer networks, clinical placement opportunities, or where graduates end up working. Nationally, the program performs closer to the middle of the pack, but state context matters more here since most community college nursing graduates stay local.

The backwards earnings trajectory is the real concern. While some variation is normal, an 12% decline could indicate graduates starting in higher-paying acute care settings but moving to lower-wage positions, or initial overtime hours that aren't sustainable. For families prioritizing rapid entry into the nursing workforce with minimal debt, this program delivers on affordability. But if maximizing long-term earning potential within New York matters, the state has stronger options—many at community colleges with similar tuition costs but better employment outcomes.