Nursing Degree in Erie, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Erie, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
in Erie
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Erie, PA Overview
While Erie has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nursing students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,896/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Erie is approximately $81,600.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,346/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$21,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,237/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
63%
Nursing Salary in Erie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Erie's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Erie adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Erie
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Erie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,346 | Private avg: $35,160
Erie avg aid: $15,237/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$148,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,600
vs HS diploma in Erie
ROI Payback Period
3.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Erie
$691,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($840,000) minus total education cost ($148,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Erie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Erie for Nursing
Gannon University
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Penn State Behrend
public
$15,346/yr
$61,384 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Erie
Erie offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Erie Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$102K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$78K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$77K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$80K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$64K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$82K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$85K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$62K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Erie
Pharmacy
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$60K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$60K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Erie — 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 Erie.