Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

At $69,618 starting out, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's nursing graduates earn right at the state median but fall short of the national benchmark by about $5,000. Here's what matters more: while nursing is typically known for steady career growth, UAFS graduates see earnings *decline* to $66,404 by year four. This backward trajectory is unusual in a field where most nurses gain earning power through experience and additional certifications.

The 60th percentile state ranking tells you this program sits in the middle of Arkansas's nursing landscape—decent but not exceptional. Compare this to University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where nurses earn nearly $10,000 more right out of the gate. The debt picture is reasonable at $24,250, creating a manageable 0.35 ratio to first-year earnings that most graduates can handle with typical starting nurse salaries.

For families choosing an in-state nursing program, UAFS offers accessibility (81% admission rate) and affordable debt, but the earnings profile suggests graduates may need to be proactive about career advancement—pursuing specialty certifications, moving to higher-paying facilities, or relocating—to avoid the income stagnation this data reveals. If your child can gain admission to UALR or Arkansas State, those programs show stronger earning trajectories worth the potential extra competition.