Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing

This program's unusual earnings pattern—graduates actually earning slightly less after four years ($60,029) versus their first year ($62,563)—is rare in nursing, where most professionals see steady wage growth. While the $31,000 debt load remains manageable (half of first-year earnings, well below typical nursing debt), the stagnant earnings trajectory sits in the bottom 40% among Pennsylvania nursing programs and bottom quarter nationally.

The debt management here is genuinely impressive. UPMC St. Margaret keeps borrowing costs far below both state ($24,761) and national ($23,562) medians, which matters significantly when paired with accessible admissions (86% acceptance rate) and a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (31%). However, landing in the 40th percentile statewide for earnings means half of Pennsylvania nursing programs deliver better financial outcomes. Top Pittsburgh-area programs like Reading Hospital and McCloskey generate $70,000+ starting salaries—about $10,000 more than UPMC St. Margaret graduates earn even after four years.

The calculus here depends on alternatives. If your child has been accepted to higher-earning Pennsylvania programs, the roughly $15,000 annual salary difference adds up quickly. But if UPMC St. Margaret offers better financial aid or represents the most accessible nursing pathway, the controlled debt and guaranteed entry into Pittsburgh's robust healthcare job market provide solid footing. Just understand that career advancement may require additional credentials or employer changes to boost earnings beyond that initial $60,000 range.