Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Kettering College

The unusual earnings pattern here tells an important story: Kettering nursing grads start strong at nearly $80,000—well above Ohio's median of $70,000—but see salaries drop to $61,000 by year four. This backward trajectory suggests many graduates may be taking premium first positions that don't translate into typical career progression, or they're moving into lower-paying specialties after gaining experience. With a robust sample size of 100+ graduates, this isn't a statistical fluke.

The financial fundamentals look solid at first glance. At $36,000 in debt versus a $79,000 starting salary, the debt burden is less than half of first-year earnings—manageable by any standard and below average nationally. Kettering ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio nursing programs for earnings, placing it in respectable company. However, that year-four earnings drop complicates long-term planning. If your child maintains that initial salary level, this program delivers clear value. But if they follow the typical graduate path shown in the data, they'll be earning less four years out than they did as new grads.

The core question is whether that early salary advantage—about $9,000 above Ohio's median—justifies the higher debt load compared to other Ohio programs where graduates earn $70,000 but typically carry just $27,000 in loans. For families banking on steady income growth to support debt repayment, this program's earnings trajectory deserves serious discussion.