Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing

Lawrence Memorial Hospital's nursing program charges more than most Massachusetts nursing schools—$30,500 in median debt versus the state median of $18,388—but graduates still come out ahead financially. Starting at $75,598, they earn slightly above the state median and outpace 80% of nursing programs nationally. By year four, earnings reach $86,407, representing solid 14% growth that justifies the investment.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates owe roughly five months of their first-year salary—manageable for a healthcare field with stable employment prospects. While several Massachusetts community colleges produce similar starting salaries with half the debt, this hospital-affiliated program's outcomes suggest hands-on clinical training that translates to competitive wages. Among Massachusetts nursing programs, it lands squarely in the middle tier (60th percentile), performing comparably to programs at Middlesex and Springfield Technical.

The premium price is offset by strong absolute earnings and the program's accessibility—nearly half of students receive Pell grants. If your child can keep borrowing close to this median and values the hospital training environment, the numbers work. But families concerned about debt should definitely compare with lower-cost community college options that reach similar salary outcomes.