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

Longwood's nursing program shows graduates earning nearly $70,000 right after graduation—solid money for a first job—but then something unusual happens: earnings actually slip to $66,818 four years out. That backward trajectory puts this program below average for Virginia nursing, landing at the 40th percentile statewide when the state median sits at $76,000. You're looking at roughly $10,000 less annually compared to what Virginia nursing graduates typically earn mid-career.

The debt load of $26,598 is manageable relative to that first-year salary, creating a 0.38 ratio that most financial advisors would consider reasonable. But the declining earnings pattern raises questions about career progression. Virginia has 35 nursing programs, and graduates from schools like Chamberlain ($83,000+) and Shenandoah ($81,000+) are pulling significantly ahead. Whether that gap reflects differences in clinical networks, specialty preparation, or regional job placement isn't clear from the numbers alone.

For a family weighing this investment, the immediate concern is understanding why earnings drop rather than grow. If your child plans to stay in Virginia and wants strong mid-career earning potential in nursing, this program's below-median performance statewide suggests looking at alternatives. The degree will certainly lead to nursing employment, but it appears to position graduates toward the lower end of Virginia's nursing salary spectrum.