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

Marquette's nursing program graduates step into strong first-year earnings of $74,574—slightly ahead of Wisconsin's median for nursing programs and placing them in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt load of $22,000 is notably below both state and national averages ($27,000), creating a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that most families would consider comfortable.

The concerning detail here is what happens after that first year: earnings remain completely flat through year four at around $74,300. While Wisconsin nursing salaries don't typically show dramatic growth, most programs see *some* wage progression as nurses gain experience and certifications. This stagnation means Marquette graduates aren't pulling ahead of peers from less expensive state schools—Ottawa University-Milwaukee and several Herzing campuses all show similar or better outcomes with lower tuition costs.

For families paying Marquette's private school premium, this is a hard sell. The nursing education itself appears solid—the starting salary proves that—but you're essentially paying more for the same market outcome. Wisconsin families would likely be better served by UW-Madison (slightly higher earnings, public tuition) or one of the Herzing locations. The low debt helps, but it doesn't fully offset the higher overall cost of attendance at a private institution when career trajectory shows no advantage.