Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Hampton University

Hampton's nursing program delivers solid career preparation but trails most Virginia competitors by a meaningful margin. Graduates earn about $73,500 four years out—roughly $2,500 below the state median and $10,000+ less than top Virginia programs like Chamberlain or Shenandoah. While these aren't alarming gaps, they're significant enough that Virginia families should understand the tradeoff.

The debt picture offers some reassurance: at $27,000, it's nearly identical to both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. Your child will likely handle loan payments comfortably on a new nurse's salary. The 6% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests stable career progression, though not the dramatic increases seen at some programs.

Hampton serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (38%) and may offer important support systems for first-generation college students. But if maximizing nursing income is the priority—and your child has admission options at similarly-priced Virginia schools—programs like Marymount or Shenandoah show stronger earning trajectories. For families choosing Hampton for its HBCU mission or campus community, the nursing program is financially viable; just know it sits middle-of-the-pack among Virginia nursing schools rather than leading the field.