Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Research College of Nursing

Research College of Nursing's BSN program starts strong with $75,705 in first-year earnings—notably above Missouri's median of $68,874—but then reverses course, dropping to $71,945 by year four. That unusual earnings decline isn't typical for nursing graduates, who generally see steady salary growth as they gain experience. With a 60th percentile ranking among Missouri nursing programs, this positions graduates solidly in the middle of the state's market, though still trailing schools like Chamberlain and University of Missouri-Columbia by $7,000-$11,000.

The $27,000 debt load matches both national and state medians exactly, creating a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio. Nursing graduates here can expect to earn roughly 2.8 times their debt in their first year—a comfortable margin that allows for reasonable loan repayment. However, that shrinking earnings trajectory raises questions about career progression or perhaps reflects graduates moving into lower-paying specialties or part-time work.

For families prioritizing immediate earning power with moderate debt, this program delivers on both fronts. The real question is why earnings slide backward when most nursing careers trend upward. If your child plans to pursue advanced practice roles or hospital leadership eventually, investigate whether graduates are advancing at typical rates—that dip could signal limited growth opportunities or simply reflect graduate school enrollment. At this debt level, though, the program won't constrain future choices.