Est. Earnings (1yr)
$75,577
Est. from MN median (24 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from MN median (13 programs)

Analysis

Minnesota nursing programs typically launch graduates into solid earning territory, and peer institutions suggest Saint John's follows this pattern. Based on comparable programs across the state, bachelor's-prepared nurses here likely start around $76,000β€”right in line with both the state and national median for nursing programs. The estimated $27,000 in debt, also drawn from similar Minnesota institutions, creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of first-year salary.

What's worth noting is that several Minnesota nursing programs report notably higher first-year earningsβ€”Walden and Capella graduates are clearing $85,000-$89,000. Whether Saint John's matches these outcomes or sits closer to the state median is unclear given the limited graduate sample requiring data suppression. The nationwide consistency in nursing salaries (median around $75,000) suggests the profession itself provides stability, though program selection and clinical placement networks can create meaningful variation.

For an anxious parent, the fundamentals look reasonable: nursing remains one of the more reliable undergraduate pathways, and the estimated debt burden here wouldn't be crushing on a typical nursing salary. But without actual outcomes data for Saint John's specific graduates, you're betting on the school matching what peer programs achieve rather than knowing for certain where its nursing alumni land.

Where Saint Johns University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (27 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Saint Johns UniversityCollegeville$53,942$75,577*β€”$27,000*β€”
Walden UniversityMinneapolis$12,498$88,877*$87,923$32,800*0.37
Capella UniversityMinneapolis$14,436$85,426*$82,005$27,826*0.33
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona$43,160$84,323*$104,496$40,188*0.48
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis$43,942$80,574*$77,817$23,441*0.29
Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead$10,336$78,006*$76,288$30,359*0.39
National Medianβ€”$74,888*β€”$27,000*0.36
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Johns University, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 24 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.