Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Maria College of Albany

Maria College's nursing program charges $28,500 in median debt—about 14% above the state median—while delivering earnings that place graduates in the bottom 40% among New York's 64 nursing programs. First-year earnings of $68,339 barely reach the national median but fall $5,000 short of what typical New York nursing graduates earn. More concerning, earnings actually decline to $65,641 by year four, suggesting graduates may face career progression challenges that peers at other programs avoid.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 looks manageable on paper, but context matters here. Several CUNY nursing programs achieve similar or better debt levels while producing graduates earning $90,000+—nearly $25,000 more annually. Even accounting for Maria College's access mission (41% of students receive Pell grants), the combination of above-average debt and below-average earnings relative to state options raises questions about return on investment.

For families committed to staying in the Albany area, this program provides a nursing credential at a debt level that won't sink graduates. But if your child can gain admission to CUNY schools or other top-performing New York nursing programs, the difference in lifetime earnings could easily exceed $500,000, making it worth considering relocation or commuting options.