Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's nursing graduates earn nearly $10,000 less than the typical Pennsylvania nursing graduate—a significant gap that places this program squarely in the bottom half of state options. At $68,936 in first-year earnings, graduates trail not just elite programs like Villanova and Drexel, but also the state median of $78,428. More troubling, earnings dip slightly by year four rather than growing, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions or face regional salary constraints in rural Pennsylvania.

The debt load of $27,000 is reasonable and matches national norms, resulting in a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's the silver lining here—you're not overpaying for these outcomes. However, "affordable" doesn't mean "optimal" when dozens of Pennsylvania nursing programs deliver $15,000-20,000 higher starting salaries for similar debt levels. The 91% admission rate and modest academic profile suggest this serves students who may have limited alternatives, but nursing is one field where program choice genuinely affects earning potential.

If your child has options at schools like Temple, Pitt, or even mid-tier PA programs, they're worth pursuing. But if IUP is the most realistic admission path and they're committed to nursing, the degree will still lead to stable employment—just at below-average Pennsylvania wages. Geography matters: staying in the Indiana area versus relocating to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia could explain much of this earnings gap.