Nursing Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$96K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$116K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.8 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $95,880.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Nursing Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,530
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
2.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$854,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($987,000) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Nursing
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$96K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$84K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$79K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$95K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$87K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$78K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$75K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$77K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Bridgeport
Pharmacy
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$71K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$71K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$71K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Bridgeport — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bridgeport.