Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UALR's nursing program lands squarely in the middle of Arkansas's competitive landscape—earning just above the state median but trailing the top performers by $10,000+ annually. With graduates earning $66,420 in their first year, this program places in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten Arkansas nursing programs deliver stronger initial earnings. Phillips Community College and Arkansas State Newport, for instance, produce graduates earning $12,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt picture offers more reassurance: $28,978 is higher than the state median of $18,375, but the 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably manage repayment on a nursing salary. What's concerning is the earnings trajectory—just 1% growth over four years suggests limited advancement opportunities or wage compression in the early career years. Most nursing programs show more robust salary progression as graduates gain experience and specializations.

For Arkansas families, this creates a clear calculus. If your child can access one of the state's stronger nursing programs—particularly the community colleges that combine lower debt with higher earnings—those represent better investments. UALR works as a backup option with manageable debt, but it's not positioning graduates at the front of Arkansas's nursing workforce in terms of compensation. The urban Little Rock location might offer clinical experience advantages, but the numbers suggest that benefit isn't translating to outsized earnings.