Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan's nursing program sits below the middle of the pack for New York—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide—and that matters because New York nursing graduates typically earn far more than the national average. While first-year earnings of $76K match the national median, they fall roughly $13K short of what New York nursing grads typically make. More concerning is the backward trajectory: earnings drop to $67K by year four, an 11% decline that's unusual for nursing and leaves graduates earning significantly less than peers who started at similar salaries.

The $28,000 debt load is manageable on its own, creating a reasonable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. But that ratio deteriorates as earnings decline, and the comparison to top New York programs is stark—schools like Helene Fuld College and CUNY's nursing programs launch graduates into careers earning $110K-$120K within a year. Even accounting for New York City's higher salaries, that's a $35K-$45K earnings gap that compounds over time.

For a New York family, this program represents a middle-tier option in a state with genuinely excellent nursing schools. The degree will open doors to nursing careers, but if your child can access SUNY or CUNY nursing programs—which offer both higher earnings potential and typically lower tuition—those represent significantly better value propositions for staying in-state.