Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern's nursing graduates start at $72,482—a solid figure that beats the state median and sits right at the debt level ($27,000) that matches both state and national averages. But here's what matters for planning: earnings actually drop to $67,898 by year four, a pattern that suggests many nurses leave higher-paying acute care settings for different roles or reduced hours. While this isn't necessarily a red flag (nursing offers unusual flexibility for work-life balance adjustments), it does mean the income trajectory differs from most bachelor's degrees.

Within Ohio's competitive nursing landscape of 66 programs, this performs respectably at the 60th percentile—middle of the pack for the state. You're looking at about $5,000 less than Ohio University's campus programs and roughly $10,000 below top performers like Kettering College. The 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable even with the earnings dip, meaning your child would owe less than five months' salary.

For families prioritizing a traditional college experience with reasonable debt and stable career entry, this works. Ohio Northern provides the credentials needed for Ohio nursing licensure at a price point that won't create financial stress. Just understand you're paying for the broader university experience rather than maximizing earning potential—programs like Chamberlain and Kettering place graduates into higher-earning positions from day one.