Nursing Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Nursing students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $73,440.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Nursing Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,640
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$680,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($756,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Nursing
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$71K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$70K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$56K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$66K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$57K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$59K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$65K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$65K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Lawrence
Pharmacy
$54K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$54K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$54K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$54K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.