Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Waukesha County Technical College

Waukesha County Technical College's nursing program starts strong—graduates earn $68,434 in their first year, ranking in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin nursing programs and matching the national median almost exactly. The $23,674 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly 4 months of salary. That's a reasonable price for entry into a stable profession.

The puzzling element here is the earnings decline: by year four, median pay drops to $63,167, an 8% slide that's unusual for nursing. This could reflect part-time work arrangements, career interruptions, or simply the particular career paths of this cohort. Wisconsin's nursing market is competitive—several programs produce graduates earning $69,000-73,000 in year one—but Waukesha still lands solidly in the middle of the pack statewide.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound. The debt is below both state and national medians, first-year earnings provide immediate financial stability, and the program performs above the state median. The earnings dip warrants a conversation with the school about typical graduate career trajectories, but it doesn't undermine the core value: affordable entry into a profession with strong employment prospects across Wisconsin.