Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at William Jewell College

William Jewell's nursing graduates start strong at $68,391, but here's the problem: their earnings actually decline to $63,602 by year four. While that starting salary sits right at Missouri's median for nursing programs, it lags the national median by over $6,000 and falls well short of what graduates earn at Research College of Nursing ($75,705) or Chamberlain's Missouri campus ($83,188). The debt load of $27,000 is typical for nursing programs, but when paired with below-average earnings and backward trajectory, the value equation weakens.

The downward earnings trend is particularly troubling in nursing—a field where experience typically commands higher pay. This pattern suggests graduates may be working in lower-paying settings or facing limited advancement opportunities compared to peers from other Missouri programs. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program performs below average even within your own state's options.

The $27,000 debt translates to manageable monthly payments initially, but that 7% earnings drop means your graduate will be making less money in year four than they were as a new grad—while still paying those loans. For a selective school (34% admission rate), you'd expect stronger career outcomes. If your child is set on William Jewell for other reasons, this program won't bury them in debt, but nearby alternatives offer demonstrably better financial returns in a profession where strong earnings growth should be the norm.