Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Luther College

Luther College nursing graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $75,533—above both the national median and notably higher than Iowa's typical $67,362. Among Iowa's 19 nursing programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, positioning it as a solid mid-tier option in a state where nursing salaries tend to run below national averages.

The concern here is what happens next: by year four, median earnings drop to $65,542, a 13% decline that's unusual in nursing where experience typically commands higher pay. This could reflect graduates moving into different roles, changing employers, or shifting to part-time work, but it creates uncertainty about the typical career trajectory. The $27,000 debt load remains manageable at a 0.36 ratio to first-year earnings, matching both state and national medians exactly.

For Iowa families, Luther offers competitive early outcomes in a profession with strong job security. The initial salary justifies the debt, and the program performs better than two-thirds of other nursing schools in the state. However, parents should understand that the earnings trajectory doesn't follow nursing's usual upward pattern, which may matter if planning around future earning potential rather than just starting salary.