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

Northwestern State's nursing program produces graduates earning $75,000 in their first year—right at the national median—but be aware that Louisiana nursing graduates typically earn more. The program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Louisiana nursing schools, trailing the state median by $3,000 annually. More concerning: earnings actually decline to $72,000 by year four, while most nursing careers see steady income growth during this crucial period.

The financial picture has some bright spots. At $25,638, debt loads sit below both state and national averages, yielding a healthy 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can manage comfortably. The sample size of 100+ graduates means these figures are reliable, not statistical noise. However, starting below competitors like UL Lafayette ($80,400) and watching earnings drift downward suggests limited advancement opportunities or professional constraints worth investigating.

For families focused on value, this program offers an affordable entry into nursing with manageable debt. But if your child can access Louisiana State University-Alexandria or UL Lafayette—where graduates earn $8,000-10,000 more annually—the extra earning power quickly justifies any modest tuition difference. The backwards earnings trajectory here deserves scrutiny: talk to recent graduates about career paths and whether the earnings dip reflects job-hopping, geographic limitations, or something else.