Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Saint Elizabeth University

Saint Elizabeth graduates command six-figure salaries right out of the gate—a $100,007 starting salary that places this program in the 95th percentile nationally. However, that 60th percentile ranking within New Jersey tells the real story: while these are exceptional earnings compared to nursing programs across the country, they're merely middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey's competitive healthcare market. With schools like Montclair State and Kean University producing graduates who earn $4,000-$5,000 more annually, parents paying similar tuition should understand they're not getting top-tier access within their own state.

The slight earnings dip to $96,309 by year four isn't necessarily alarming for nursing—it could reflect graduates moving from high-intensity hospital rotations to preferred specialties or hours. More concerning is whether the $27,500 debt load (typical for nursing programs) makes sense when peer institutions deliver higher earnings for similar investment. The 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, representing roughly three months of gross income.

For a family considering Saint Elizabeth, this comes down to fit and circumstances. If your child has been admitted to Montclair State or Kean, those programs offer better financial outcomes. But Saint Elizabeth serves a largely Pell-eligible student body (54%) and maintains solid job placement—that $100K starting point still outearns most college graduates by a wide margin, and nursing offers job security that many degrees can't match.