Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lake Superior State University

Lake Superior State's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $68,007, but here's the problem: by year four, graduates are actually earning less—around $59,907. That's a 12% drop when you'd expect growth, and it lands this program in just the 16th percentile nationally. Even within Michigan, where it ranks at the 40th percentile, graduates are earning about $15,000 less than the state median for nursing programs.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable and equals the national median, giving graduates a reasonable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio initially. But that backwards earnings trajectory raises questions about whether graduates are finding stable nursing positions or leaving the field. Compare this to University of Michigan-Flint nursing grads who earn $80,000+ by year four, or even smaller programs like Alma College at nearly $79,000.

For students committed to staying in the Upper Peninsula, this program provides entry into nursing with reasonable debt. But if your child has flexibility on location, Michigan offers stronger nursing programs that not only start higher but actually show earnings growth over time. The declining income pattern here suggests graduates may be facing career challenges that don't affect nurses from other Michigan programs.