Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Missouri-St Louis

UM-St. Louis nursing graduates start around $67,000—roughly $8,000 below the national median for nursing programs and slightly below Missouri's typical outcome. More concerning is where this program ranks: 13th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Missouri's 36 nursing programs. Compare this to Research College of Nursing in the same city, where grads earn $75,700, or even MU-Columbia at $72,300. The debt load of $27,000 is manageable and typical for nursing programs, but you're paying standard price for below-average outcomes.

The earnings trajectory adds another wrinkle—graduates actually see a 3% income decline between year one and year four, dipping to $64,611. While nursing salaries can vary based on specialty and setting, most programs show at least modest growth during this period. This suggests graduates may be struggling to advance into higher-paying positions or specialties compared to peers from stronger programs.

For Missouri families, this becomes a value calculation: UM-St. Louis offers moderately selective admission (57%) and presumably lower tuition than private alternatives, but your child will likely earn $5,000-10,000 less annually than graduates from top-tier Missouri nursing programs. Given nursing's strong job market, they'll find work—just at the lower end of the pay scale. If keeping debt minimal through in-state tuition is your priority, this works, but recognize you're trading long-term earnings for upfront savings.