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

University of Utah nursing graduates start with respectable salaries around $69,500, but something unusual happens: their earnings actually decline over the next few years rather than grow. This backward trajectory stands out in a field where most nurses see steady income gains as they build experience and specialization. While the program ranks solidly in the middle of Utah's nursing schools (60th percentile), it trails significantly behind national benchmarks—falling in just the 22nd percentile nationwide. For comparison, several other Utah nursing programs deliver starting salaries $10,000-$16,000 higher, including Western Governors University and Arizona College's Salt Lake City campus.

The positive angle here is debt: at $22,000, it's manageable and below both state and national medians. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means your child could realistically pay off loans within a year or two of aggressive repayment. That's a genuine advantage in a healthcare field where job security remains strong and nursing remains in high demand across Utah's growing healthcare system.

The bottom line: This program won't saddle your child with crushing debt, but it also appears to be a middle-tier option in a state with demonstrably stronger alternatives. If University of Utah is the choice for other reasons—campus life, location, or specific research opportunities—the financial picture is workable. But purely from an earnings standpoint, other Utah nursing programs offer better returns on the same investment of time and tuition.