Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ottawa University-Milwaukee

Ottawa University-Milwaukee's nursing program delivers above-average results while keeping debt remarkably low—a combination that matters more than the modest starting salary might suggest. Graduates earn $76,207 in their first year, placing them in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's 28 nursing programs and slightly above the national median. More impressive is the $34,747 debt load, which sits in the 16th percentile nationally—meaning 84% of nursing programs saddle students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 translates to manageable monthly payments that won't compromise a new nurse's financial stability.

The program's solid positioning becomes clearer when you look at Wisconsin's competitive landscape. While UW-Madison offers marginally higher starting pay, the difference of about $700 annually won't offset significantly higher debt burdens at most alternatives. For a family where 46% of students qualify for Pell grants, this balance of outcomes and affordability matters. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these numbers without the volatility of tiny cohorts.

For families prioritizing both credential quality and financial security, this program offers a straightforward path into nursing without the debt burden that often accompanies it. The combination of competitive Wisconsin earnings and below-average debt makes this a sensible choice for students planning to work in the state after graduation.