Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at George Fox University

George Fox nursing graduates start strong with $89,201 in first-year earnings—far above the national median of $74,888. But here's the catch: they're actually trailing most Oregon nursing programs, landing at the 40th percentile statewide where the median is $94,291. In Oregon's competitive nursing market, even programs at similar-sized private schools like Linfield and University of Portland deliver $6,000-7,000 more in starting earnings. That gap matters because Oregon's higher cost of living makes every dollar count.

The $29,000 debt load is manageable relative to those first-year earnings, creating a reasonable 0.33 debt-to-income ratio. However, the slight earnings dip to $87,458 by year four—while modest—suggests graduates aren't climbing into higher-paying nursing specialties or leadership roles as quickly as peers elsewhere. This pattern is unusual in nursing, where experience typically commands better pay.

For Oregon families, this creates a straightforward calculation: George Fox delivers solid nursing preparation with reasonable debt, but if your child can gain admission to Linfield, University of Portland, or even OHSU (which also costs less), they'll likely start $5,000-13,000 ahead annually. That difference compounds quickly when you're building a career. George Fox works if these higher-performing programs aren't accessible, but it shouldn't be the first choice for Oregon students pursuing nursing.