Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital

Marion Whelan's nursing program produces graduates who earn significantly above the national median in their first year—and they do it with minimal debt. At $39,000, graduates carry just half the debt burden of typical New York nursing programs, landing in the 5th percentile nationally for student loans. That's a rare advantage in a state where nursing debt typically runs nearly $25,000.

The challenge emerges in the trajectory. While first-year earnings of $71,273 start strong, they drop to $63,003 by year four—a 12% decline that runs counter to typical nursing career patterns. More tellingly, graduates from this program earn less than most other New York RNs; at the 40th percentile statewide, they're making about $10,000 less than the state median. This suggests the program may not position graduates for the highest-paying hospital systems or specialized nursing roles that drive top earnings in New York.

For families prioritizing affordability, this program delivers nursing credentials without crushing debt, serving a predominantly working-class student body (56% receive Pell grants). However, the earnings gap compared to other New York programs—including community colleges that produce graduates earning $90,000+—means the initial savings may not compound over a career. This works best for students who need immediate entry to nursing and plan to pursue additional credentials later, but families should recognize they're trading lower debt for below-median New York nursing salaries.