Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Maryville University of Saint Louis

Maryville's nursing program sits in an interesting middle ground—performing better than most Missouri programs while lagging behind national standards. At $69,116 in first-year earnings, graduates place in the 60th percentile statewide but only the 21st percentile nationally. With debt of $29,881 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, the initial financial picture is manageable. However, the earnings trajectory is essentially flat, dipping slightly to $68,585 by year four.

The real concern here is competitive positioning. Within Missouri, this program outperforms the state median, but compare it to top in-state alternatives: Research College of Nursing graduates earn $75,705, and Chamberlain University-Missouri grads pull in $83,188—that's $14,000 more annually than Maryville. Given that Missouri already pays nurses less than most states, starting behind the state's best programs compounds the disadvantage. The stagnant earnings growth suggests graduates may be hitting their ceiling quickly, which is unusual in nursing where career progression typically brings raises.

For families weighing cost versus outcome, Maryville's 94% admission rate and moderate debt load make it accessible, but it's worth asking whether slightly better programs at comparable costs might offer stronger long-term returns. The debt is reasonable enough that graduates won't struggle, but they'll likely need to be strategic about finding higher-paying positions to match what peers from Missouri's top-tier nursing programs earn right out of school.