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

University of Mary's nursing program graduates earn slightly below what you'd expect for nursing—both nationally and within North Dakota. With first-year earnings of $72,453, graduates fall below the state median of $72,810 and about $2,400 below the national benchmark. Among the eight nursing programs in North Dakota, this ranks near the middle, trailing schools like Mayville State ($77,525) and Rasmussen ($74,861) by $2,000-$5,000 annually.

The financial picture itself is reasonable: $28,578 in median debt translates to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates spend less than 40% of their first year's salary paying down loans. That's manageable for a nursing degree, and both debt load and earnings align closely with state averages. However, you're paying roughly the same debt for below-average outcomes compared to other North Dakota options.

The fundamental question is whether University of Mary offers something—location, clinical partnerships, program structure—that justifies accepting lower earnings than you'd see at nearby alternatives. For a profession where starting salaries are relatively standardized, a $5,000 annual gap adds up quickly. If your child has in-state admission to higher-earning programs like Mayville State or University of North Dakota, those merit serious consideration unless Mary offers specific advantages that matter to your family.