Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at John Brown University

John Brown University's nursing program produces graduates earning slightly below the state median—landing at the 40th percentile among Arkansas nursing programs—while carrying above-average debt. That $67,343 first-year salary trails the state's $69,618 median and falls well short of what graduates earn at University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($78,898) or Arkansas State ($73,423). The debt load of $29,291 exceeds both state and national medians, creating a less favorable financial picture than most Arkansas nursing programs offer.

The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming—nursing graduates can typically manage this level of debt. But the comparison matters here: you're paying more than average for below-average outcomes in a state with better-performing public options. The 14th percentile national ranking reinforces that this program struggles to compete beyond Arkansas borders.

For an in-state student considering John Brown's distinctively Christian education environment, this might justify the premium. But purely from an earnings standpoint, several Arkansas public universities deliver stronger financial returns with lower debt burdens. If your child values the private Christian college experience specifically, the numbers work. If nursing career outcomes are the priority, the state's flagship or Arkansas State would be safer bets financially.