Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

UW-Oshkosh nursing graduates start strong at $71,633, but earnings actually slip to $66,860 by year four—an unusual backward trajectory in a field where income typically rises with experience. While the $25,000 debt load is manageable (35% of first-year earnings), this program lands squarely in the middle of Wisconsin's nursing options, ranking at the 40th percentile statewide. For context, nearby UW-Madison nursing graduates earn $75,513 four years out, nearly $9,000 more annually.

The earnings decline deserves attention. Most nursing professionals see steady income growth as they gain clinical experience and certifications, but these graduates buck that trend. This could reflect graduates leaving clinical roles, relocating to lower-cost areas, or switching to part-time work—though with a robust sample size of 100+ graduates, the pattern appears real rather than statistical noise.

For Wisconsin families, this program offers accessible nursing education (87% admission rate) at reasonable debt levels, but it's not the state's strongest performer. If your child is Wisconsin-bound and choosing between nursing programs, compare carefully: several alternatives show both higher starting salaries and the upward earnings trajectory you'd expect in healthcare. The degree will open doors, but the financial trajectory here is flatter than most nursing careers deliver.