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

Lourdes University's nursing program starts strong with a first-year salary of $67,414—well above the living wage threshold—but then something unusual happens: earnings actually drop to $60,720 by year four. This backward trajectory is rare in nursing, where experience typically brings raises, not pay cuts. While the debt load of $31,000 is reasonable, sitting near the national median, the declining earnings pattern suggests many graduates may be taking part-time positions, leaving the field, or facing limited advancement opportunities in the local market.

The program ranks in just the 14th percentile nationally and below the Ohio state median of $70,327, placing it in the bottom half of Ohio's 66 nursing programs. Top programs in the state like Chamberlain University-Ohio and Kettering College place graduates earning $80,000+, demonstrating that significantly better outcomes are achievable within Ohio. This gap matters because nursing is generally a portable credential—your child's earning potential shouldn't vary this much based solely on where they get their BSN.

For families considering Lourdes, the debt is manageable and the immediate job placement appears solid, but the earnings decline and middling state ranking warrant serious questions about career trajectory. Before committing, ask the program directly about clinical placement sites, employer partnerships in the Toledo area, and whether their graduates are finding full-time positions with advancement potential. At this price point, Ohio offers nursing programs with clearer paths to sustained career growth.