Education at Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital

The numbers here tell an unusual story: Pomeroy's education associate degree commands premium earnings—placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally—but those earnings plateau immediately after graduation rather than growing over the first four years. With only two schools in New York offering this specific program, the state comparison is limited, but Pomeroy sits at the 60th percentile within New York despite ranking near the top nationally.

The financial picture is straightforward and favorable. At $26,812 in median debt against $68,000+ in first-year earnings, graduates face a debt load of just 39% of their annual salary—well below concerning thresholds. This manageable debt combined with robust earnings makes this program financially accessible, particularly for the 35% of students receiving Pell grants.

The real question is what happens after that strong first year. Education careers typically build earning power through years of service, yet these graduates see essentially flat earnings between years one and four. This could reflect the associate degree hitting a ceiling in this field, or it might indicate graduates transitioning to different roles. For families viewing this as a launching point—perhaps toward a bachelor's degree or specialized certification—the combination of low debt and immediate strong earnings creates flexibility. As a terminal degree for education work, however, expect earnings to remain in this range rather than climb significantly.