Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pace University

Pace University's nursing program delivers exceptional starting salaries that rank in the 95th percentile nationally, with graduates earning $107,433 in their first year—nearly $33,000 above the national median for nursing programs. However, this strong performance looks more modest within New York's competitive nursing landscape, where it ranks in the 60th percentile among the state's 61 programs. While Pace graduates still out-earn the state median by about $18,000, they trail programs like Helene Fuld College and several CUNY schools by $8,000-$12,000.

The debt picture is reasonable at $27,000, matching both national and state medians for a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25. This manageable debt load means graduates can realistically pay off their loans while building their careers. The concerning trend, however, is that earnings actually decline slightly by year four, dropping to $105,016—unusual for a field where experience typically commands higher pay.

For parents considering Pace's nursing program, the fundamentals are solid: graduates enter a high-demand field with strong starting salaries and manageable debt. The program's national prestige and New York location provide excellent opportunities, though other state programs offer similar outcomes at potentially lower costs. The slight earnings decline over time warrants attention, but the overall return on investment remains strong in a profession with excellent job security.