Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at St Luke's College

St. Luke's College graduates earn less than the national nursing average but meaningfully outperform most Iowa programs. At $71,064 first-year earnings—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—this places graduates ahead of even University of Iowa's nursing program and just below private schools like Northwestern and Dordt. The $29,000 debt load sits slightly above both national and state medians, but the 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable for a nursing career.

The real story here is regional context. While 29th percentile nationally might sound concerning, Iowa nursing salaries generally run below the national median of $74,888. Within that market, St. Luke's competes effectively. The college serves a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients (46%), suggesting it provides upward mobility for students who might not access higher-ranked programs. The moderate sample size of graduates reinforces that this is an established program with consistent outcomes.

For Iowa families, particularly those in the Sioux City area, this represents solid value. You're paying slightly more debt for outcomes that beat most in-state options, and graduates enter a profession with clear career progression. The earnings gap with national averages matters less if your child plans to work in the Midwest, where cost of living offsets lower salaries.