Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at MidAmerica Nazarene University

MidAmerica Nazarene's nursing program produces graduates earning roughly $8,000 less annually than the national median for BSN programs—ranking in just the 11th percentile nationwide. While that sounds alarming, the Kansas context is more nuanced: this program sits near the 40th percentile among the state's 20 nursing programs, and its graduates still earn slightly below the Kansas median of $68,354. The debt burden of $26,620 is manageable with a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary.

The real concern is the minimal earnings growth over four years—just 4% from $66,608 to $69,170. Meanwhile, graduates from Ottawa University and Southwestern College are starting $7,000-$10,000 ahead and likely maintaining that advantage throughout their careers. With nursing credentials generally offering strong earning potential nationwide, starting this far behind comparable Kansas programs represents a measurable disadvantage in a field where pay should be more standardized.

For families comparing Kansas nursing options, this program falls in the middle tier at best. The debt is reasonable, but your child would enter the workforce earning less than peers from other Kansas schools—and that gap doesn't appear to close over time. If MidAmerica Nazarene offers other compelling factors (campus culture, location, flexibility), the financial difference isn't catastrophic, but stronger-performing programs exist at similar Kansas institutions.