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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Saint Cloud, MN | $84,470 Median Nursing Earnings | $8,909 | 94.8% | 40.3% | |
| #42 | Bemidji State UniversityPublic | Bemidji, MN | $84,436 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,073 | 56.0% | 47.9% |
| #43 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | Detroit, MI | $84,405 Median Nursing Earnings | $11,090 | 81.2% | 58.4% |
| #44 | Creighton UniversityPrivate | Omaha, NE | $84,294 Median Nursing Earnings | $20,472 | 79.8% | 83.4% |
| #45 | Marion, IN | $84,157 Median Nursing Earnings | $19,793 | 88.9% | 66.7% | |
| #46 | Morningside UniversityPrivate | Sioux City, IA | $84,033 Median Nursing Earnings | $33,738 | 71.0% | 50.1% |
| #47 | Aurora UniversityPrivate | Aurora, IL | $84,022 Median Nursing Earnings | $14,525 | 80.8% | 60.3% |
| #48 | Edwardsville, IL | $83,867 Median Nursing Earnings | $8,483 | 97.5% | 57.0% | |
| #49 | Kokomo, IN | $83,756 Median Nursing Earnings | -$583 | 86.5% | 45.6% | |
| #50 | Marshall, MN | $83,735 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,559 | 62.2% | 45.1% | |
| #51 | Lakeview College Of NursingPrivate | Danville, IL | $83,636 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — |
| #52 | Kettering CollegePrivate | Kettering, OH | $83,539 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,000 | 76.5% | 65.1% |
| #53 | Moorhead, MN | $83,452 Median Nursing Earnings | $20,950 | 62.6% | 61.1% | |
| #54 | Kalamazoo, MI | $83,449 Median Nursing Earnings | $5,263 | 84.6% | 57.6% | |
| #55 | Canton, OH | $83,232 Median Nursing Earnings | $21,580 | 45.9% | 53.3% | |
| #56 | Columbia, MO | $83,231 Median Nursing Earnings | $13,841 | 78.5% | 74.9% | |
| #57 | Ohio Northern UniversityPrivate | Ada, OH | $83,157 Median Nursing Earnings | $18,525 | 74.4% | 75.5% |
| #58 | University Of IndianapolisPrivate | Indianapolis, IN | $83,156 Median Nursing Earnings | $15,346 | 66.5% | 55.8% |
| #59 | Minneapolis, MN | $82,960 Median Nursing Earnings | $6,642 | 79.8% | 85.3% | |
| #60 | Milwaukee, WI | $82,822 Median Nursing Earnings | $11,607 | 58.9% | 67.1% |
