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

The most striking pattern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates start at $64,452 but see their income drop to $56,995 by year four—a 12% decline that's unusual in nursing, where experience typically commands higher pay. This backward slide suggests possible challenges with specialty advancement, shift differentials, or local market constraints that ambitious nurses should investigate.

The state comparison offers some reassurance. While Ohio University-Southern ranks nationally in just the 26th percentile, it hits the 60th percentile among Ohio's 54 nursing programs—meaning it outperforms most in-state competitors despite starting salaries running about $4,000 below the state median. The $24,101 debt load sits comfortably below Ohio's typical $26,952, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 that most families can handle. For students planning to stay in southeastern Ohio where nursing salaries may be regionally compressed, this in-state performance matters more than national rankings.

The real question is whether graduates can reverse that earnings decline. If year-four figures reflect graduates leaving bedside nursing for lower-paying roles or hitting a local wage ceiling, families should discuss whether staying in the Ironton area long-term makes financial sense. For students committed to the region or needing an accessible entry point into nursing, the program works—just expect to hustle for raises rather than coasting on experience alone.