Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State's nursing program shows an unusual earnings pattern that should concern prospective students: graduates earn $66,243 in their first year but see their income drop to $59,001 by year four—an 11% decline when most careers are trending upward. While starting salaries come close to Kansas's median of $68,354, the program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of nursing programs produce higher-earning graduates. Even within Kansas, where nursing salaries run below national averages, this program sits at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack among state options.

The financial picture gets more concerning when you consider that several Kansas programs produce significantly better outcomes. Ottawa University's various campuses and Southwestern College all report median earnings above $75,000, roughly $9,000-$16,000 more than what Pittsburg State graduates earn by year four. The modest debt load of $22,791 provides some cushion, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.34, but that advantage doesn't offset the earnings disadvantage over time.

For Kansas families, this program represents a safe admission bet with below-average financial returns. If your child can gain admission to one of Kansas's higher-performing nursing programs, the earnings difference could amount to $60,000-$80,000 over a five-year period after graduation—a meaningful gap that compounds over a career.