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

With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, Monroe University serves a population where $23,003 in debt is not a trivial sum—but nursing offers a relatively clear path to managing it. Based on comparable associate degree nursing programs across New York, graduates typically earn around $73,415 in their first year, which would put the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.31. That suggests most graduates could reasonably handle loan payments while building their careers, though it's worth noting this falls below what some of the top-performing nursing programs in the region deliver.

The uncertainty here matters. Without actual graduate outcomes from Monroe, you're relying on what similar programs achieve. New York's nursing market varies significantly—top programs like Cochran and CUNY Hostos place graduates into roles earning over $95,000 right away, while the statewide median sits at $73,415. Where Monroe's graduates land on that spectrum depends on clinical training quality, hospital partnerships, and whether they're positioned for higher-paying positions in New York City's competitive healthcare market.

For parents whose children are committed to nursing and need a program close to home, Monroe could work—the estimated numbers aren't alarming. But if your child has options, compare carefully. Ask Monroe directly about recent graduate placement rates, which hospitals hire their nurses, and whether their students pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Those factors will tell you more about value than these estimates can.