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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #161 | Omaha, NE | $76,879 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,272 | 73.4% | 59.5% | |
| #162 | Omaha, NE | $76,723 Median Nursing Earnings | — | — | — | |
| #163 | Dakota Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Mitchell, SD | $76,515 Median Nursing Earnings | $15,251 | 73.4% | 48.3% |
| #164 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | Fayette, IA | $76,345 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,715 | 96.5% | 33.9% |
| #165 | Ball State UniversityPublic | Muncie, IN | $76,161 Median Nursing Earnings | $7,834 | 85.5% | 62.3% |
| #166 | Akron, OH | $76,089 Median Nursing Earnings | $10,413 | 59.7% | 51.9% | |
| #167 | Joplin, MO | $75,985 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,759 | 97.0% | 41.6% | |
| #168 | Saint Ambrose UniversityPrivate | Davenport, IA | $75,832 Median Nursing Earnings | $22,037 | 77.3% | 61.0% |
| #169 | Wichita State UniversityPublic | Wichita, KS | $75,784 Median Nursing Earnings | $9,734 | 94.0% | 51.0% |
| #170 | Hope CollegePrivate | Holland, MI | $75,738 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,606 | 79.2% | 80.0% |
| #171 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | Chicago, IL | $75,716 Median Nursing Earnings | $18,018 | 97.2% | 35.1% |
| #172 | Baldwin Wallace UniversityPrivate | Berea, OH | $75,687 Median Nursing Earnings | $21,296 | 75.7% | 66.8% |
| #173 | Mercy College Of OhioPrivate | Toledo, OH | $75,648 Median Nursing Earnings | $19,867 | 93.2% | 55.8% |
| #174 | Mount Mercy UniversityPrivate | Cedar Rapids, IA | $75,613 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,070 | 82.5% | 57.7% |
| #175 | Lincoln, NE | $75,490 Median Nursing Earnings | $23,196 | 67.4% | 70.0% | |
| #176 | Bethel College-North NewtonPrivate | North Newton, KS | $75,293 Median Nursing Earnings | $35,147 | 93.5% | 41.1% |
| #177 | Hiram CollegePrivate | Hiram, OH | $75,185 Median Nursing Earnings | $16,550 | 93.5% | 54.5% |
| #178 | Saint Joseph, MO | $74,875 Median Nursing Earnings | $11,243 | — | 38.5% | |
| #179 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $74,810 Median Nursing Earnings | $19,281 | 70.9% | 74.1% |
| #180 | Cincinnati, OH | $74,797 Median Nursing Earnings | $17,255 | 58.9% | 55.7% |
