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

Ottawa University-Online's nursing program produces graduates who out-earn both Kansas and national benchmarks, with first-year earnings of $76,207—about $8,000 above the Kansas median and $1,300 above the national median. Among Kansas nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, putting it roughly on par with the university's traditional campus offerings and ahead of established in-state options like Washburn University. The debt load of $34,747 sits higher than typical for nursing programs, but the 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn more than double their debt in their first year—a manageable burden even by nursing's generally favorable standards.

The combination here is straightforward: above-average earnings with above-average debt, but the math still works. Nursing graduates typically see strong returns regardless of where they study, and this online program delivers earnings competitive with Kansas's top performers. The higher debt—in the 16th percentile nationally, meaning lower than 84% of programs—is the tradeoff for the flexibility of online education, but it's not excessive given the earning power. For a student who needs the online format or is already working in healthcare, this program offers a clear path to solid nursing income without taking on crushing debt.