Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of North Alabama

University of North Alabama nursing graduates start around $61,000—roughly $6,000 below Alabama's median for nursing programs and $14,000 behind the national benchmark. While landing at the 40th percentile among Alabama nursing schools isn't disastrous, it's sobering to see this program in the bottom 5% nationally, trailing top in-state options like Tuskegee by nearly $18,000 annually. For context, UNA grads earn less than nurses from University of Alabama, Auburn Montgomery, and South Alabama.

The debt picture offers little consolation. At $25,000, borrowing sits near Alabama's average, yielding a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, earnings barely budge over four years—just 3% growth to $63,000—suggesting limited advancement opportunities or wage compression in the regional markets where graduates land. Meanwhile, other Alabama programs show stronger trajectory potential alongside higher starting points.

This program produces working nurses at an accessible institution (96% admission rate), but the financial return lags behind what many Alabama nursing schools deliver. If your child has admission offers from UA, Auburn Montgomery, or South Alabama, those represent materially better earning prospects. UNA might make sense if location in the Florence area is essential or if it's the only nursing acceptance, but the earnings gap is real and persistent.