Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Toledo

The University of Toledo's nursing program charges Ohio students about $5,000 less in debt than the state median while delivering starting salaries that match the state average. That's solid positioning—until you look four years out, when median earnings drop 8% to $65,495. This backward slide is unusual for nursing, where most graduates see steady income growth as they gain experience and certifications.

Within Ohio, Toledo ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms about half the state's nursing programs but falls well short of top performers like Chamberlain ($83,188) and Kettering ($79,505). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is manageable, and with a $22,400 median debt load, most graduates won't face crushing loan payments. However, the earnings decline suggests graduates may be struggling to advance professionally or are concentrated in lower-paying nursing specialties or settings.

The program's value depends heavily on how your child plans to use the degree. If they're committed to pursuing advanced certifications or specializations that typically boost nursing salaries—think ICU, ER, or nurse practitioner pathways—starting here with lower debt makes sense. But if they're unsure about their nursing career trajectory, paying similar money for programs with stronger four-year outcomes might be worth exploring, especially given Toledo's very high admission rate and the competitive nursing job market in Ohio.