Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lincoln Memorial University

Lincoln Memorial University's associate nursing program produces graduates earning roughly $14,000 less annually than Tennessee's median—a significant gap that places it in just the 25th percentile statewide. For context, nursing graduates from nearby community colleges like Dyersburg State and Cleveland State are earning $16,000 to $20,000 more per year than LMU's median of $54,468. This is particularly striking given that LMU is a private institution charging typical four-year tuition rates for a two-year degree.

The $21,000 debt load appears manageable at first glance, translating to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, when you're earning $14,000 below the state median annually, that "manageable" debt becomes more burdensome in practice. The modest 8% earnings growth to year four suggests limited upward trajectory compared to nurses who start at higher salaries. At least a dozen Tennessee nursing programs—many of them public community colleges with lower tuition—deliver substantially better earning outcomes with less debt.

For an associate nursing degree, families should seriously consider Tennessee's community college options, which consistently outperform this program while costing significantly less. Unless location in Harrogate is essential, the data suggests better returns on investment elsewhere in the state.