Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's nursing program presents a puzzling pattern that merits careful consideration. While graduates start strong with $73,324 in first-year earnings—competitive with the national median—their salaries actually decline to $65,814 by year four. This 10% drop runs counter to typical career trajectories and suggests graduates may face challenges advancing in their nursing careers or maintaining their initial salary levels.

The program ranks in the 40th percentile among Nebraska nursing schools, trailing behind private competitors like Doane University ($80,849) and Creighton University ($77,587). However, UNMC does offer a significant debt advantage with a median of just $25,000 compared to the state median of $30,875. This lower debt burden creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to service their loans even with the concerning earnings decline.

For families focused on minimizing debt while entering a stable profession, UNMC's nursing program delivers reasonable value despite the earnings downturn. The strong sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these numbers. However, parents should investigate why earnings decline over time—whether it reflects local market conditions, career advancement barriers, or other factors that could impact their child's long-term earning potential in nursing.