Median Earnings (1yr)
$73,493
42nd percentile
40th percentile in South Carolina
Median Debt
$26,972
At national median

Analysis

Bob Jones University nursing graduates face an unusual trajectory: strong first-year earnings of $73,493 followed by a 15% drop by year four to $62,743. While the initial salary roughly matches South Carolina's median for nursing programs, the decline is notable in a field where earnings typically rise with experience and additional certifications. At 40th percentile statewide, this program sits solidly in the middle of South Carolina's nursing optionsβ€”well behind leaders like Coastal Carolina ($84,021) but on par with the state median.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,972, creating a manageable 0.37 ratio to first-year earnings. That's less than four months of salary, which would be quite favorable if earnings stayed flat or grew. However, the downward earnings trajectory changes the calculation. By year four, graduates earn less than they did initially, which could make career advancement more challenging than at peer programs.

For families expecting nursing to provide stable, growing income, this pattern warrants investigation. Ask the school what's driving the earnings declineβ€”are graduates switching to lower-paying specialties, working fewer hours, or leaving nursing entirely? Understanding whether this is a career path issue or a data anomaly matters. If your child is set on Bob Jones for other reasons, the debt load won't crush them, but you can find stronger earning outcomes at several other South Carolina nursing programs.

Where Bob Jones University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Bob Jones University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Bob Jones University$73,493$62,743-15%
South University-Columbia$77,635$78,626+1%
Coastal Carolina University$84,021$73,434-13%
University of South Carolina Beaufort$64,671$71,391+10%
Medical University of South Carolina$68,199$69,232+2%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (21 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Bob Jones UniversityGreenville$23,400$73,493$62,743$26,9720.37
Coastal Carolina UniversityConway$11,640$84,021$73,434$39,7500.47
Lander UniversityGreenwood$11,700$78,485$63,303$25,6650.33
South University-ColumbiaColumbia$18,238$77,635$78,626$41,8150.54
Claflin UniversityOrangeburg$17,046$76,590β€”$23,8190.31
University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg$11,583$75,849$67,071$26,2500.35
National Medianβ€”$74,888β€”$27,0000.36

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bob Jones University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 33 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.