Nursing programs across the Midwest produce graduates with earnings ranging from $50,981 to $104,496 ten years after enrollment. Across 208 programs, this substantial variation in career earnings demonstrates why program selection matters significantly for healthcare careers. The region's nursing degree programs deliver median earnings of $67,945, reflecting strong demand for BSN programs throughout the Midwest.
Leading the list is Saint Mary's University Of Minnesota, achieving the highest program earnings at $104,496. Following closely are Governors State University at $97,713 and Mckendree University at $82,082. These top-performing programs demonstrate exceptional graduate outcomes that justify their positioning, with private colleges and public universities both represented among the highest earners in nursing education.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Winona, MN | $104,761 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,182 | 92.8% | 66.0% | |
| #2 | Benedictine UniversityPrivate | Lisle, IL | $97,934 Median Nursing Earnings | $20,168 | 95.2% | 50.3% |
| #3 | Saint Paul, MN | $93,347 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,406 | 78.9% | 45.9% | |
| #4 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Lincoln, NE | $93,116 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,925 | 79.8% | 66.1% |
| #5 | Augsburg UniversityPrivate | Minneapolis, MN | $93,046 Median Nursing Earnings | $21,318 | 82.0% | 51.7% |
| #6 | Chicago State UniversityPublic | Chicago, IL | $92,024 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,073 | 43.3% | 15.5% |
| #7 | Spring Arbor UniversityPrivate | Spring Arbor, MI | $91,869 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,530 | 51.5% | 63.5% |
| #8 | Mayville, ND | $90,781 Median Nursing Earnings | $5,971 | — | 40.6% | |
| #9 | Rochester UniversityPrivate | Rochester Hills, MI | $90,425 Median Nursing Earnings | $18,463 | 97.7% | 44.1% |
| #10 | Hammond, IN | $88,935 Median Nursing Earnings | $1,432 | 72.4% | 42.9% | |
| #11 | University Park, IL | $88,391 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,563 | 48.3% | 22.1% | |
| #12 | Kansas City, MO | $88,249 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,576 | 72.2% | 55.5% | |
| #13 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | Milwaukee, WI | $88,069 Median Nursing Earnings | $22,269 | 81.3% | 83.2% |
| #14 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $87,922 Median Nursing Earnings | $28,992 | 81.6% | 73.0% |
| #15 | Cleveland, OH | $87,582 Median Nursing Earnings | $19,025 | 36.5% | 87.2% | |
| #16 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $87,511 Median Nursing Earnings | $22,218 | 87.8% | 71.4% |
| #17 | University Of St FrancisPrivate | Joliet, IL | $87,383 Median Nursing Earnings | $8,547 | 65.3% | 66.8% |
| #18 | Athens, OH | $87,308 Median Nursing Earnings | $15,673 | 85.0% | 65.5% | |
| #19 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $87,170 Median Nursing Earnings | $7,572 | 84.3% | 56.6% |
| #20 | Chicago, IL | $87,037 Median Nursing Earnings | $7,529 | 77.3% | 61.6% |
