Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mount Mercy University

Mount Mercy's nursing graduates start just below the Iowa median at $66,647, but what's concerning is where they go from there—earnings actually decline 4% by year four, ending below $64,000. This places the program in the bottom quarter nationally (11th percentile) while landing squarely in the middle of Iowa's nursing landscape (40th percentile). When Luther College and Dordt University graduates in Iowa are earning $75,000+ with similar debt loads, that $8,000-12,000 annual gap adds up quickly.

The $27,000 debt figure is perfectly average, both for nursing programs nationwide and within Iowa, making this strictly an earnings story. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, graduates can manage their loans—but they're essentially getting middle-of-the-pack Iowa outcomes while the state's stronger programs demonstrate significantly higher earning potential. The downward earnings trajectory suggests graduates may face challenges advancing into higher-paying specialties or leadership roles that typically drive nursing salary growth.

For Iowa families, this program offers an accessible path to nursing licensure at a manageable debt level, but the combination of below-average starting salaries and declining earnings should prompt serious conversations about value. If your child can gain admission to Luther, Dordt, or Northwestern College, the data suggests those programs deliver substantially better returns on a similar investment.