Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Wilkes University

Wilkes University's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $77,226—above the national median but trailing the Pennsylvania average by about $1,200. The more puzzling issue is what happens next: graduates actually see their earnings drop to $72,957 by year four, falling further behind both state and national benchmarks. Among Pennsylvania's 52 nursing programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning six in ten programs in the state produce better-earning outcomes.

The debt load of $28,813 is manageable in absolute terms—close to both state and national medians—giving graduates a reasonable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. But that initial ratio becomes less favorable as earnings stagnate while peers at places like Immaculata or Villanova see their salaries climb toward $85,000+. This earnings trajectory suggests either that Wilkes graduates cluster in lower-paying healthcare settings or face challenges advancing professionally compared to peers across Pennsylvania.

For an in-state student, this program offers solid immediate outcomes with controllable debt, but the earnings pattern should prompt questions about clinical placement networks and career advancement support. Pennsylvania has several nursing programs that deliver both stronger starting salaries and better long-term growth—worth exploring if you're not bound to the Wilkes-Barre area.