Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University's nursing program outperforms most competitors within North Carolina while keeping debt manageable, though national comparisons reveal some limitations. At $72,639 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than the state median of $71,822 and rank in the 60th percentile among NC nursing programs—a solid showing that beats roughly half the competition in-state. The $24,082 median debt load is notably lower than both state and national averages, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33.

However, the program's national ranking tells a different story. Sitting in just the 38th percentile nationally means graduates earn about $2,200 less than the typical nursing graduate nationwide. More concerning is the flat earnings trajectory—just 1% growth over four years suggests limited career advancement potential compared to programs where nurses see more substantial salary increases with experience.

For families prioritizing affordability and staying in North Carolina, this program delivers solid value with lower debt and competitive in-state earnings. But if your child has stronger academic credentials (the 946 average SAT suggests this isn't the most selective program) and nursing ambitions that might lead out of state, exploring higher-ranked programs could yield better long-term returns despite potentially higher upfront costs.