Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State's nursing program graduates start strong at $68,346, putting them right at the national median—but there's a troubling gap when comparing locally. This program sits in just the 40th percentile among Louisiana nursing programs, earning roughly $4,600 less than the state median. Even Louisiana's community colleges are outperforming Northwestern State, with schools like Fletcher Technical and Delgado sending nurses into the workforce at $76,000+.

The backward trajectory compounds the concern. By year four, earnings drop 9% to $62,421, a pattern that's unusual in nursing where most programs see steady salary growth as nurses gain experience and certifications. The $31,250 debt load is relatively low compared to other programs (12th percentile nationally), which helps explain the reasonable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio. Still, when you're starting behind peers from other Louisiana schools and then losing ground, that initial affordability advantage matters less.

For Louisiana families, this data suggests looking closely at alternatives. Your child could attend a Louisiana community college, likely pay less in tuition, and start their career earning $6,000-10,000 more annually. Unless Northwestern State offers specific advantages—perhaps location or a guaranteed clinical placement—the numbers point toward exploring those higher-performing programs first.