Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Brenau University

Brenau's nursing graduates command strong starting salaries—$80,786 puts them above three-quarters of nursing programs nationally and ahead of Georgia's median. But that higher-than-average starting point comes with the program's steepest challenge: graduates carry $42,187 in debt, roughly 60% more than the typical Georgia nursing program. While the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by nursing standards, you're looking at meaningfully higher debt loads than state peers like Georgia Highlands or Clayton State, who achieve comparable outcomes with half the borrowing.

The slight earnings dip by year four deserves context. In nursing, this often reflects career choices—some graduates shift to lower-paying but more desirable specialties or work settings. What matters more is whether the extra $15,500 in debt (versus the Georgia median) justifies those strong initial earnings. Among Georgia's 37 nursing programs, Brenau lands squarely in the middle tier for earnings but near the top for debt burden. Students at Georgia's community colleges and regional universities are achieving similar salary outcomes while borrowing substantially less.

For families who can minimize borrowing through scholarships or family support, Brenau delivers solid nursing outcomes. But if your child will need to finance most of their education through loans, those state schools posting similar earnings with $20,000-$25,000 less debt represent considerably stronger financial value.