Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington's nursing program produces solid earnings outcomes while serving a predominantly working-class student body—but within DC's competitive nursing market, it lands in the middle of the pack. Graduates earn $79,349 in their first year, slightly above the national median but below DC's $81,044 median. More telling: among the eight nursing programs in the District, this ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing Georgetown, Strayer, and Catholic University.

The financial fundamentals work well here. With $31,000 in typical debt and strong first-year earnings, graduates face a debt burden equal to just 39% of their starting salary—manageable by most standards. Earnings growth to $92,897 by year four shows the degree opens doors to advancement, likely reflecting moves into supervisory roles or specialized units. Given that half of Trinity's students receive Pell grants, these outcomes represent meaningful economic mobility for first-generation college students entering a stable profession.

For DC families, the calculation hinges on alternatives. If your child can access Georgetown's nursing program (median earnings $85K), that's worth pursuing. But Trinity delivers reliable entry into a high-demand field with debt levels below both national and local benchmarks. The nursing shortage virtually guarantees employment, and the earnings trajectory suggests real career progression—just not the premium that DC's top-ranked programs command.