Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Hannibal-LaGrange University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 suggests manageable borrowing for a nursing degree, but the estimates here tell only half the story. Based on comparable bachelor's-level nursing programs across Missouri, graduates might expect to earn around $69,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $28,500 in debt. That would mean paying off loans equal to about 5 months of gross salary—reasonable by nursing standards. However, this estimate sits below what top Missouri programs produce: Research College of Nursing graduates report $76,000, and Chamberlain's reach $83,000, suggesting a potential $7,000-$14,000 annual gap if this program tracks with state averages rather than outperforming them.

The uncertainty here matters because nursing is generally a reliable field where most programs deliver solid returns, but specific schools vary significantly in clinical placements, NCLEX pass rates, and employer relationships—factors that directly affect starting salaries. The estimated figures put Hannibal-LaGrange's program at the Missouri median, which would be decent but unremarkable. If your student is considering this program primarily because of location, cost of attendance, or fit, the projected debt load wouldn't be disqualifying. But if maximizing earning potential matters, you'd want to verify the school's actual NCLEX pass rates and placement outcomes before committing, especially when Missouri offers nursing programs with documented stronger earnings just hours away.