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

Marshall University's nursing program graduates start with respectable earnings of $65,826, but here's the catch: four years later, they're making *less* than they did fresh out of school. That backward slide to $63,301 is unusual in nursing, where experience typically translates to higher pay. While the starting salary trails both the West Virginia median ($67,859) and national average ($68,409), the real concern is what happens next. Among West Virginia's 16 nursing programs, this one sits squarely in the middle—outperformed by schools like Davis & Elkins and Fairmont State, where graduates see stronger long-term trajectories.

The debt picture offers some consolation. At $25,375, graduates owe slightly more than the state median but less than the national average, and that 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—you'd carry debt equal to about five months' salary. For a program at an accessible school (96% admission rate, serving 38% Pell-eligible students), that's reasonable.

The bottom line: This program gets you into nursing without crushing debt, but it doesn't position you for the same earning power as peers across West Virginia. If Marshall is your local option and you're committed to nursing, the economics work—just don't expect your salary to climb the way it does for graduates of top-performing programs in the state. Consider whether nearby alternatives like Fairmont State or Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offer better value for similar accessibility.