Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Saint Joseph

University of Saint Joseph's nursing program commands one of the higher price tags among Connecticut's nursing schools—$30,990 in median debt versus the state median of $27,000—yet delivers middle-of-the-pack earnings at $86,555. That puts graduates at the 60th percentile within Connecticut, trailing programs at University of Hartford ($106,348), Fairfield, and Sacred Heart by significant margins. While this program outperforms the national nursing median by nearly $12,000, that's less impressive when you realize Connecticut nursing salaries run higher across the board.

The more puzzling issue is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn less four years out ($80,507) than they do in their first year—a 7% decline that's unusual in nursing, where career progression typically means steady salary growth. With a moderate sample size, this could reflect specific employer pipelines or geographic patterns, but it's worth investigating why this program's graduates see their earnings plateau or decline early on.

The debt burden itself isn't catastrophic at 0.36 times first-year earnings, and graduates start well above the national nursing median. However, parents should question whether paying above-average debt for middle-tier Connecticut outcomes makes sense when several in-state alternatives deliver stronger earning power at comparable or lower cost. The 80% admission rate suggests access won't be an issue for qualified candidates looking at other options.