Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Bevill State Community College

Bevill State's nursing program keeps debt remarkably low at $12,750—about $8,000 below the Alabama median and nearly half the national average. That's a significant advantage that translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross income.

The challenge is the earnings trajectory. Starting salaries around $63,500 land near Alabama's median but in just the 22nd percentile nationally, suggesting graduates may be concentrated in lower-paying rural healthcare settings. More concerning, earnings actually decline by 5% by year four, dropping to $60,200. Among Alabama's 24 nursing programs, Bevill ranks at the 40th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack but trailing programs like Bishop State and Southern Union by $8,000-$10,000 annually. Over a career, that gap compounds significantly.

The low debt matters, especially for families without substantial savings (30% of students receive Pell grants here). Your child won't face crushing loan payments that plague some nursing graduates. However, if career growth and higher earning potential matter, stronger in-state alternatives exist at similar community colleges. Bevill makes sense if proximity to Jasper is essential and you prioritize minimal debt above all else, but families with geographic flexibility should compare outcomes at Alabama's top-performing nursing programs before deciding.