Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Fulton-Montgomery Community College

Fulton-Montgomery's nursing graduates start strong—earning $77,192 in their first year puts them well above both the national median ($68,409) and New York's median ($73,415). The debt load of $25,500 is quite manageable, translating to just 33 cents owed for every dollar earned in that first year. However, this initial advantage doesn't hold. By year four, earnings drop to $68,092, a 12% decline that lands graduates below where they started and closer to the national average.

This earnings trajectory matters because New York nursing is generally high-paying, with top programs like Cochran School of Nursing and CUNY Hostos consistently delivering six-figure salaries. While Fulton-Montgomery performs solidly at the 60th percentile among New York nursing programs, that declining earnings pattern suggests graduates may be starting in higher-paying acute care positions but transitioning to different roles or settings over time. The debt remains reasonable regardless, keeping this program financially viable even with the earnings dip.

For a family focused on immediate job placement and manageable debt, this program delivers. Your child will likely start earning well right away and won't be burdened by heavy loans. Just recognize that unlike some nursing programs where earnings grow steadily, this one peaks early—what looks like an $77K career in year one becomes closer to $68K by year four.