Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University's nursing program costs significantly more than most Missouri alternatives while delivering below-average results. With $27,408 in median debt—30% higher than the Missouri median—graduates start at $59,620, which places them in just the 5th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Missouri nursing programs. More concerning, earnings actually drop to $53,181 by year four, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance or secure stable positions compared to peers from other programs.

The comparison to Missouri community colleges is striking. Programs at St. Charles, St. Louis Community College, and Jefferson College all produce graduates earning $67,000-68,000 with substantially less debt (around $21,000 statewide median). That's a $15,000 annual earnings advantage with $6,000 less debt to repay. Even accounting for SBU's private university setting, the financial picture doesn't justify the premium when community college RN graduates in Missouri consistently out-earn SBU's by such wide margins.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: you're paying more to earn less, both initially and four years out. Missouri's community college nursing programs offer better earnings potential at lower cost. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to attend SBU specifically, this represents a poor return on investment for an associate's nursing degree.