Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Gardner-Webb University

Gardner-Webb's nursing program sits squarely in the middle of North Carolina's competitive nursing landscape—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $71,337. The program delivers below the national median by about $3,500, and notably, earnings actually decline to $66,782 by year four. This downward trajectory is unusual for nursing, where most programs see steady wage growth as graduates gain experience and advance their credentials.

The financial picture isn't dire—at $24,922 in median debt, graduates owe less than both state and national averages, resulting in a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the combination of middling starting salaries and negative earnings growth suggests graduates may face challenges advancing into higher-paying specialties or leadership roles compared to peers from stronger NC programs. Looking at the state's top performers (Chamberlain NC and University of Mount Olive both exceed $81,000), there's a clear gap of $10,000-15,000 in earning potential.

For families prioritizing nursing as a stable career path with lower debt burden, this program delivers on the safety front. But if your child is considering graduate education or specialization in nursing administration—areas where early earnings momentum matters—you'll want to examine why this program's graduates see declining wages while nurses from comparable programs typically see growth.