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

The unusual earnings trajectory here deserves attention: based on comparable nursing certificate programs nationally, first-year graduates typically earn around $66,400, but this program shows reported fourth-year earnings dropping to $53,420. That backward slide could signal graduates moving from higher-paying hospital positions into different roles, working part-time, or leaving nursing altogether—worth understanding before committing.

Estimated debt of $26,558 for a certificate program sits above the national median but well below Indiana's state average of $38,369, suggesting University of Evansville offers relatively restrained costs for this credential level. Similar programs nationally produce a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.40, meaning graduates typically owe about five months of their first-year salary—manageable by nursing standards. However, if those fourth-year earnings represent the actual trajectory, the financial picture becomes less clear.

The critical question is why earnings would decline by nearly $13,000 between years one and four when nursing typically offers stable or growing wages. Before enrolling, you'll want to understand what exactly graduates are doing in that fourth year and whether this certificate serves as a stepping stone to further credentials or standalone preparation. The debt load is reasonable, but only if the program delivers sustained earning power.