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

Utah State's nursing program sits right in the middle of the state's pack—earning graduates about what the typical Utah BSN does—but that means they're trailing the national average by nearly $10,000 annually. At 40th percentile statewide, this program lands below half of Utah's nursing options, including online universities like Western Governors ($85,861) and several specialized nursing colleges that place graduates $15,000-$20,000 ahead. The 5th percentile national ranking is particularly stark for a profession where earning potential is usually more consistent across institutions.

The debt picture provides some relief: $21,265 is reasonable for a bachelor's degree in nursing and sits below both state and national medians. The 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about four months of first-year salary, which is manageable. However, that benefit feels diminished when you consider that several Utah programs deliver both lower debt *and* substantially higher earnings.

For families paying in-state tuition at Utah State, this represents a serviceable but not standout option. If nursing is the goal and location flexibility exists, it's worth asking why not aim for one of the higher-performing Utah programs—especially when some (like Utah Tech at $69,616) still cost less while earning more. The program isn't problematic, but with 15 nursing options in Utah alone, there's little reason to settle for middle-of-the-road results in a field where credentials typically deliver stronger returns.