Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Jefferson Regional School of Nursing

A $26,500 debt load for a nursing credential that launches graduates into the mid-$60,000s represents a manageable financial start, even though these figures come from national peer programs rather than Jefferson Regional's specific outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, suggesting graduates could reasonably handle repayment while building their careers. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves families who need nursing's economic mobility.

The earnings trajectory tells an interesting story: first-year estimates of $66,398 actually exceed the four-year figure of $60,084. This could reflect several realities—perhaps some graduates step back to pursue advanced degrees, or the local Arkansas healthcare market presents different compensation patterns than the national sample suggests. What matters more is that both figures place graduates firmly in middle-class territory from day one, which is nursing's fundamental promise.

For families weighing this investment, the core math works even with estimated figures. Nursing credentials remain one of the most reliable pathways from working-class to professional employment, and nothing in Jefferson Regional's profile contradicts that pattern. The uncertainty here isn't whether nursing pays—it does—but whether this specific program's actual outcomes mirror the national baseline we're seeing reflected in these estimates.