Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research at Pennsylvania State University (The) - Shenango
PA · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 51.38
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research degree from Pennsylvania State University (The) - Shenango earn a median salary of $87,351 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in PA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $89,043. The degree typically pays for itself in 3.8 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$70,321
Typical Career
$87,351
Top Performers
$104,398
Estimated break-even: 3.8 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$582
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $7,279. Most students can comfortably afford about a $582 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 2.3x more than the average US high school graduate and 1.1x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Pennsylvania buys what costs $0.98 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retail Trade.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$89,043
Nominal: $87,351 in Pennsylvania (COL 98.1% of national avg) · 1.9% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $60,769 | $76,237 | $93,359 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $70,321 | $87,351 | $104,398 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $66,213 | $96,791 | $129,324 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $87,351 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in PA, which has a cost-of-living index of 98.1% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $87,351 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9810)
= $89,043 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Health Care & Social Assistance (39.5%), Manufacturing (9.8%), and Retail Trade (8.3%), reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the job market. With an estimated break-even point of approximately 3.8 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing a nursing degree at this institution appears favorable. Overall, the combination of solid earnings potential and diverse employment sectors supports a positive career outlook for graduates.
Compare with Another School
See how the Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research degree at Pennsylvania State University (The) - Shenango stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Ready to apply?
Start your application for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research at Pennsylvania State University (The) - Shenango.
Explore More
Other Degrees at Pennsylvania State University (The) - Shenango
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.