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

Milligan's nursing program lands squarely in the middle of Tennessee's competitive nursing landscape—beating half the state's programs but falling short of the national median by about $4,400. That 60th percentile ranking among Tennessee schools matters more than the lower national ranking because most Tennessee nursing graduates will compete in regional markets where Milligan's outcomes are actually quite typical.

The $27,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.38 ratio against first-year earnings of $70,523, meaning graduates face monthly payments around 5-6% of their gross income. This is reasonable for a profession with stable employment prospects, though it's worth noting that several Tennessee alternatives—particularly public options like University of Memphis and UT-Martin—deliver comparable or better earnings at similar debt levels.

For families committed to Milligan's Christian liberal arts environment and smaller class sizes, the nursing program represents a solid if unspectacular investment. However, if maximizing earnings potential is the priority, programs like Baptist Health Sciences University or the state's public universities offer $3,000-$6,000 higher starting salaries without significantly different debt burdens. The choice here depends on how much value you place on Milligan's specific campus culture versus purely financial outcomes.