Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Liberty University

Liberty University's nursing program sits in the bottom half of both national and Virginia rankings, which is concerning given nursing's typically strong job market. With first-year earnings of $71,918 that actually decline to $70,066 by year four, graduates earn about $5,000 less than the typical Virginia nursing graduate and $4,000 below the national median.

The debt picture isn't terrible at $27,457—right at the state median—but combined with below-average earnings, it creates a weaker return on investment than most nursing programs. More troubling is the negative earnings trajectory, suggesting Liberty graduates may struggle to advance professionally or secure higher-paying positions compared to peers from stronger programs. Top Virginia nursing programs like Chamberlain and Shenandoah produce graduates earning $10,000-12,000 more annually.

While nursing remains a stable career path with good job security, Liberty's program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Virginia schools despite the state's competitive nursing market. The 99% admission rate suggests less selectivity, which may contribute to weaker career outcomes. Parents should seriously consider stronger in-state alternatives that deliver better earning potential for similar debt levels.