Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin's nursing graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $94,947—well above both the state median of $85,196 and the national benchmark of $74,888. That places them in rarified company nationally, though several Washington nursing programs produce similar outcomes. The estimated debt load of $27,000, based on comparable programs in the state, translates to a 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio that most financial advisors would consider manageable.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: by year four, median pay drops to $80,995, a 15% decline that's unusual for a nursing career path that typically sees steady growth. This pattern could reflect graduates shifting from high-paying acute care positions to lower-paying but more sustainable roles, relocating to lower-cost areas with correspondingly lower salaries, or reducing to part-time work. Without program-specific data, it's hard to know if this reflects Saint Martin's particular graduates or is an artifact of the estimation methodology drawing from peer programs with different employment patterns.

For parents weighing this investment, the first-year numbers suggest Saint Martin's nursing program delivers strong immediate outcomes. The debt appears reasonable given those starting salaries. But the earnings decline means you can't assume a typical upward nursing salary trajectory—graduates may need to be strategic about maintaining income growth through specialty certifications, advanced practice roles, or careful job selection. If your student plans to stay in Washington's competitive healthcare market, this program positions them well to launch.