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

Muskingum's nursing program ranks right in the middle of Ohio's nursing schools—60th percentile—but falls below the national median by about $4,500 in starting salary. The debt load of $27,500 is reasonable, translating to a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates start with solid $70,000+ salaries. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

The unusual earnings pattern—dropping from $70,347 to $61,933 by year four—deserves attention, though with limited data points, this might reflect a few graduates switching to part-time work or relocating to lower-cost areas rather than a systemic problem. Ohio's nursing market is competitive, with programs like Chamberlain and Kettering placing graduates at $79,000-$83,000, suggesting that stronger performers capture higher-paying hospital positions early.

For families focused on keeping costs down while accessing nursing careers, Muskingum delivers an affordable entry point with typical Ohio outcomes. Just recognize you're not getting the premium placement of top-tier state programs, and the small cohort size makes these numbers less reliable predictors than data from larger nursing schools. If your student has options at programs with more consistent track records, compare carefully.