Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Truman State University

Truman State's nursing program shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn $68,736 in their first year—slightly below Missouri's median and well below the national average—but then see their earnings drop 8% to $63,494 by year four. This backward trajectory is unusual for nursing, where most programs see steady salary growth as nurses gain experience and specialized skills. Among Missouri's 36 nursing programs, this ranks right at the median (40th percentile), but it's worth noting that top in-state options like Chamberlain University and Research College of Nursing deliver $15,000-20,000 more annually.

The $25,094 debt load is reasonable, translating to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats many programs. However, that metric looks less favorable when you factor in the earnings decline—paying off loans becomes harder as income shrinks rather than grows. The moderate sample size suggests these aren't just outlier results.

For Missouri families, this represents a middle-of-the-pack option that won't burden students with excessive debt but also won't position them competitively in the state's nursing market. If your child can access one of Missouri's stronger nursing programs—particularly those at larger medical centers where salary growth trajectories are more typical—the long-term earnings advantage likely justifies a modest increase in debt.