Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of the District of Columbia

Seven nursing programs in DC report similar first-year earnings around $81,000, and this BSN program likely falls right in that range. With an estimated debt load of $25,264, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 suggests graduates could reasonably expect to manage repayment—comparable programs typically see nurses earning enough to service this debt without financial strain. That DC nurses command premiums over the national median of $74,888 reflects the region's high cost of living but also its concentration of federal health facilities and competitive healthcare employers.

What makes this particularly relevant for UDC is its role serving 43% Pell-eligible students. Nursing remains one of the most reliable pathways to middle-class earnings for first-generation college students, and based on peer program outcomes in DC, graduates here should expect entry-level salaries that justify the investment. The key uncertainty is whether UDC's specific outcomes match or lag behind the state median—Georgetown and Strayer report slightly higher figures, though the differences are modest.

The practical takeaway: nursing programs in DC consistently produce strong early earnings relative to debt, and nothing about UDC's estimated figures suggests it's an outlier. Parents should verify the program's NCLEX pass rates and clinical placement arrangements, as these directly impact whether graduates achieve those typical DC nursing salaries or struggle to enter the field.