Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Saint Joseph's nursing graduates enter a stable but not spectacular earnings trajectory. First-year salaries of $74,114 match Maine's state median exactly, placing this program squarely in the middle of the state's nursing options—ahead of Southern Maine but trailing Augusta by over $8,000 annually. Nationally, it lands slightly below the 50th percentile, meaning half of nursing programs deliver stronger outcomes. The modest 5% earnings growth to year four suggests limited advancement potential compared to programs where new nurses quickly move into higher-paying roles.

The financial picture is manageable but unremarkable. At $27,000 in median debt—less than Maine's state average—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning they'll owe about four months of their first year's salary. That's workable for a profession with steady demand, and the robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results. Still, for families considering Maine nursing programs, the University of Maine at Augusta delivers nearly $9,000 more in first-year earnings, which compounds significantly over a career.

This program offers a reliable path into nursing without financial distress, but it won't give your child an edge in the job market. If in-state tuition makes this affordable and location matters, it's a reasonable choice. If cost is similar across Maine schools, Augusta or New England would likely deliver better long-term returns.