Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mohawk Valley Community College

The numbers paint an intriguing picture, though the small sample size means these figures could shift year to year. Mohawk Valley's nursing graduates earn about $68,650 their first year—nearly identical to the national median but trailing the New York state median by roughly $5,000. That 40th percentile ranking among New York programs suggests this program sits below average for the state, where nursing salaries tend to run higher than elsewhere. The state's top programs (like Cochran School of Nursing at $102,000) earn significantly more, though those are often in higher-cost metro areas.

The financial equation still works in your child's favor. With median debt under $16,000 against first-year earnings near $69,000, graduates face a manageable debt burden—less than a quarter of their starting salary. That's considerably better than the national norm, where nursing students typically leave with over $20,000 in debt. The degree pays for itself quickly, even if earnings don't match what New York City-area programs achieve.

For families in the Utica region prioritizing affordability, this represents a practical entry point into a stable profession. Your child gets licensed nursing credentials at a reasonable price, though they may need to consider relocating or pursuing a BSN eventually to reach higher earning tiers. The question is whether slightly lower earnings matter when the alternative means significantly more debt elsewhere.