Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas nursing graduates face an unusual earnings pattern that sets it apart from typical nursing programs: their first-year median salary of $70,636 actually declines to $62,853 by year four. This downward trajectory is puzzling for a field where experience typically commands higher pay, and it means graduates earn about $12,000 less than the national nursing median after four years in the workforce.

Within Arkansas, however, the picture looks somewhat different. UCA ranks at the 60th percentile among the state's 16 nursing programs—solidly middle-of-the-pack and close to the state median of $69,618. The program trails in-state competitors like UA Little Rock ($78,898) and Arkansas State ($73,423) by significant margins, but it's competitive with Henderson State and Harding. The $25,000 debt load matches the Arkansas median and creates a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one, though that ratio worsens as earnings decline.

For Arkansas families, this represents a practical but not standout option. The accessible admissions (90% acceptance rate) and moderate debt make it approachable, but you're paying for a program that performs below the national average and loses ground to several state alternatives. If your child has competitive credentials, the top Arkansas programs offer measurably better outcomes. If UCA is the best-fit option for other reasons, the debt load is reasonable enough that the unusual earnings pattern, while concerning, won't become financially crippling.