Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Nightingale College

Nightingale College nursing graduates start strong at $67,000—above Utah's median for nursing programs—but see their earnings drop 11% to just under $60,000 by year four. That's an unusual trajectory for nursing, where earnings typically grow steadily. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile within Utah, it trails slightly behind more established options like Fortis College and Salt Lake Community College, both of which cost significantly less. The national comparison is less flattering: these graduates earn below the national median for associate nursing programs.

The debt load of $27,875 is the program's bright spot, representing just 42% of first-year earnings—well below the concerning threshold of 100%. However, it's still notably higher than Utah's typical $17,828 for similar programs. For a state where community colleges offer quality nursing training at lower cost, that premium warrants scrutiny.

The earnings decline suggests graduates may be finding initial employment but struggling to advance or secure higher-paying positions. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here. If your child can access one of Utah's community college nursing programs instead, you'd likely get comparable outcomes with substantially less debt. If Nightingale is the only accessible option, the manageable debt-to-earnings ratio keeps it viable—just don't expect upward mobility in the first few years post-graduation.