Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Charleston

University of Charleston's associate nursing program lands squarely in the middle—earning graduates just shy of the national median at $67,888, with debt about 17% higher than average. Within West Virginia's nursing landscape, it ranks exactly at the state median for both earnings and debt, performing better than half of the state's 16 nursing programs but trailing the top performers by a few thousand dollars annually.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is manageable, meaning graduates earn roughly $3 for every $1 borrowed. That's better than many healthcare programs and translates to monthly debt payments that shouldn't overwhelm a new nurse's budget. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, though these numbers reflect just the first year post-graduation—nursing salaries typically grow with experience and specialization.

For West Virginia families, this is a straightforward value proposition: predictable debt, competitive starting pay for the state, and entry into a field with strong demand. If your child has admission offers from Davis & Elkins or Fairmont State (both offering $1,500-$3,300 more in starting pay for similar debt), those warrant consideration. But University of Charleston delivers exactly what you'd expect from a mid-tier state nursing program—no red flags, no premium outcomes, just reliable preparation for a nursing career at a fair price.