Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing

Samaritan Hospital's nursing program delivers solid first-year outcomes at $70,783, beating the national average by about $2,400, but it lands squarely in the middle of New York's competitive nursing market—40th percentile among 64 programs statewide. The state median sits at $73,415, meaning graduates here typically earn about $2,600 less than their in-state peers. With top NY programs like Cochran and Hostos pushing past $97,000, there's a noticeable gap for families considering multiple options within the state.

The financial fundamentals are reasonable: $27,625 in median debt translates to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn nearly $2.60 for every dollar borrowed. That's manageable by any standard, particularly since nursing degrees offer immediate job placement. The concern is the flat earnings trajectory—just 1% growth over four years—which suggests limited advancement or specialty opportunities compared to programs where nurses move into higher-paying specializations.

For families prioritizing steady employment and manageable debt over maximizing earnings potential, this works. But if your child could qualify for one of New York's stronger nursing programs—particularly CUNY options that combine higher earnings with public tuition—those deserve serious consideration. The modest sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers are directional rather than definitive, but the pattern is clear: solid foundation, middle-of-the-pack outcomes.