Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's nursing program delivers solid financial returns with notably manageable debt levels. Graduates earn $75,809 their first year—above both national and Ohio medians for nursing programs—while carrying just $29,454 in debt. Among Ohio's 66 nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, putting it ahead of most in-state competition. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 is particularly attractive, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay off their loans within a few years of graduation.

However, there's an important caveat: earnings actually decline slightly by year four to $72,703, representing a 4% drop when most careers see growth. This "early peak" pattern suggests the program may prepare students well for immediate employment but potentially limits longer-term advancement opportunities. That said, the strong starting salary and low debt burden create a financial cushion that many nursing programs don't offer.

For Ohio families, this represents a smart in-state choice that outperforms the state median while keeping debt reasonable. The combination of accessible admissions (85% acceptance rate) and strong initial earning power makes this a practical investment, even with the earnings plateau concern.