Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Maryland Global Campus

The numbers here tell an unusually positive story that deserves attention: graduates from this program earn $92,323 in their first year—outperforming 95% of nursing programs nationally—while carrying just $19,084 in debt. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings. The debt burden is also among the lowest 5% nationally, making this one of the most accessible paths into nursing you'll find.

The caveat is significant: earnings drop to $81,793 by year four, a decline of 11%. This is puzzling for a nursing program, where earnings typically climb. It might reflect career changes, part-time work, or geographic moves by graduates, but the pattern is worth investigating. Still, even at the four-year mark, earnings remain competitive with Maryland's state median of $79,291. Among Maryland's 13 nursing programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—not the highest in the state, but respectable given the dramatically lower debt load compared to competitors.

For parents weighing options, the low debt here is the decisive advantage. Even if your child's earnings follow the downward trend seen in the data, they'll have financial flexibility that peers at higher-debt programs won't. This is particularly valuable for a profession like nursing, where burnout and career pivots are common. The strong starting salary combined with minimal debt creates breathing room for whatever comes next.