Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

This UConn Hartford nursing program delivers strong starting salaries but reveals a puzzling earnings pattern that deserves attention. While graduates earn $84,969 in their first year—well above the national median of $74,888—their earnings actually decline to $80,687 by year four, a 5% drop that's unusual in nursing where experience typically drives salary growth.

The state comparison tells a more complex story. Connecticut nursing graduates typically earn $86,555, placing this program slightly below the state median despite ranking nationally in the 84th percentile. Among Connecticut's 17 nursing programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, with top programs like University of Hartford ($106,348) and Fairfield ($91,418) significantly outpacing UConn Hartford's outcomes. The $27,000 debt load matches both national and state medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32.

For Connecticut families, this program offers solid financial returns with reasonable debt, but it's not the state's strongest nursing option. The earnings decline after graduation raises questions about career trajectory that warrant investigation—this could reflect normal market adjustments or program-specific factors. Given the accessible 86% admission rate and strong initial outcomes, it's a viable choice for students who may not qualify for more competitive Connecticut programs, though families should understand they're not getting the state's premium nursing education value.