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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | Peoria, IL | $86,941 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,269 | 76.8% | 76.2% |
| #22 | Macomb, IL | $86,694 Median Nursing Earnings | $6,941 | 71.2% | 45.2% | |
| #23 | North Park UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $86,581 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,845 | 68.5% | 57.7% |
| #24 | Moorhead, MN | $86,563 Median Nursing Earnings | $11,129 | 58.8% | 57.3% | |
| #25 | Flint, MI | $86,401 Median Nursing Earnings | $1,517 | 70.5% | 40.3% | |
| #26 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivate | Saint Peter, MN | $86,114 Median Nursing Earnings | $12,015 | 61.0% | 76.6% |
| #27 | Duluth, MN | $85,824 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,433 | 93.0% | 70.5% | |
| #28 | Ypsilanti, MI | $85,611 Median Nursing Earnings | $13,250 | 79.6% | 46.4% | |
| #29 | University Of Saint MaryPrivate | Leavenworth, KS | $85,587 Median Nursing Earnings | $21,899 | 86.6% | 47.8% |
| #30 | Madison, WI | $85,579 Median Nursing Earnings | $4,200 | 45.2% | 89.5% | |
| #31 | Cincinnati, OH | $85,551 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,974 | 85.3% | 75.0% | |
| #32 | St Catherine UniversityPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $85,514 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,890 | 91.8% | 61.3% |
| #33 | Lewis UniversityPrivate | Romeoville, IL | $85,320 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,382 | 71.3% | 66.6% |
| #34 | University Of Mount UnionPrivate | Alliance, OH | $85,186 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,786 | 78.2% | 58.7% |
| #35 | Cape Girardeau, MO | $85,155 Median Nursing Earnings | $12,704 | 73.5% | 57.9% | |
| #36 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Bourbonnais, IL | $84,705 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,232 | 55.9% | 60.8% |
| #37 | Green Bay, WI | $84,588 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,144 | 88.6% | 48.2% | |
| #38 | South Bend, IN | $84,541 Median Nursing Earnings | $4,637 | 83.8% | 40.1% | |
| #39 | Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Bloomington, IL | $84,527 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,732 | 39.3% | 74.7% |
| #40 | College Of Saint BenedictPrivate | Saint Joseph, MN | $84,492 Median Nursing Earnings | $12,981 | 91.5% | 77.1% |
