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

Lipscomb's nursing graduates earn $64,954 in their first year—roughly $10,000 below the national median and about $2,000 below Tennessee's typical nursing program. More troubling is that earnings actually dip to $63,381 by year four, while most nursing graduates see steady income growth as they gain experience and potentially move into higher-paying specialties. Among Tennessee's 32 nursing programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten state programs deliver better outcomes. For context, nearby options like Galen Health Institutes and Baptist Health Sciences University both produce graduates earning $10,000+ more annually.

The $26,623 in median debt is manageable at 41% of first-year income, and the moderate sample size suggests reasonably consistent outcomes. However, you're paying private school tuition for results that trail both state and national benchmarks. The earnings stagnation is particularly puzzling in nursing, a field where experienced RNs typically command higher salaries as they develop specialized skills or move into leadership roles.

If your child is set on Lipscomb for campus culture or other factors, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But purely from a return-on-investment perspective, Tennessee offers multiple nursing programs—including public options—with stronger earning trajectories. The numbers suggest you'd be paying a premium for below-average financial outcomes.