Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at SUNY Broome Community College

SUNY Broome Community College's nursing program graduates start strong at $76,000—well above both the national median ($68,409) and comfortably ahead of New York's median ($73,415). The debt load of $26,872 is reasonable by nursing standards, translating to a favorable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. For families choosing between New York's 64 nursing programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it outperforms about half of the state's options while costing considerably less than elite programs like Cochran ($102,553) or CUNY Hostos ($97,888).

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see income drop to $67,437 by year four, an 11% decline that's unusual for nursing careers. This backward movement might reflect employment pattern shifts, local market dynamics in the Binghamton area, or graduates moving to lower-cost regions. However, even at the four-year mark, earnings remain near national benchmarks.

The value proposition here is straightforward: strong immediate earning potential with manageable debt, making it a solid investment for students who need to start working quickly. The later earnings dip warrants attention—ask the school about typical employer pathways and whether local hospital systems offer long-term growth opportunities—but the initial financial foundation is sound enough to service debt comfortably while building nursing experience.