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

Youngstown State's nursing program shows troubling economics that set it apart from typical nursing outcomes. While most nurses see steady wage growth, YSU graduates actually earn *less* four years out ($61,921) than they do immediately after graduation ($65,668). This backwards trajectory matters because nursing is generally one of the most reliable healthcare careers—the fact that earnings decline here suggests either workplace constraints in the Youngstown region or challenges with career advancement after graduation.

The bigger concern is how this program stacks up against alternatives. At $65,668 initially, YSU graduates earn nearly $9,000 less than the Ohio median and rank in just the 5th percentile nationally among nursing programs. That gap widens over time rather than closes. Within Ohio alone, at least five programs deliver starting salaries above $75,000—meaning graduates there can pay down the same $27,000 debt burden significantly faster. The debt itself is manageable at 41% of first-year income, but that ratio assumes earnings hold steady, which they haven't for recent YSU cohorts.

For an in-state student choosing between Ohio nursing programs, the $100+ robust sample size confirms these aren't statistical flukes. Given that stronger-performing Ohio programs exist at similar price points, parents should weigh whether YSU's 80% admission rate and regional convenience justify accepting substantially lower earning potential in a field where income typically trends upward, not down.