Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Indiana University-Southeast

Indiana University-Southeast's nursing program costs less than most—at $25,719, it's about $1,300 below typical Indiana nursing debt—but the earnings tell a more complicated story. Graduates start at $66,302, roughly $5,500 below the Indiana median and $8,600 below the national benchmark. That 10th percentile national ranking is stark, though the 40th percentile within Indiana suggests the state's nursing market overall pays less than the national average. For context, Chamberlain's Indiana program produces graduates earning $17,000 more their first year.

The low debt provides some cushion: with a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates can manage payments without major strain. Earnings do climb to nearly $70,000 by year four, though that 5% growth is modest for a field where many programs see stronger income trajectories. The value here depends heavily on your priorities—if minimizing debt while securing a nursing credential matters most, this program delivers. If maximizing earning potential is the goal, the comparison to other Indiana programs is hard to ignore.

For families focused on affordability and a straightforward path to RN licensure, this works. But students with competitive profiles should compare offers carefully, as several Indiana nursing programs combine similar debt levels with significantly stronger first-year earnings.