Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Broward College

Broward College nursing graduates start strong—earning about $73,000 right out of the gate—but face an unusual trajectory: earnings dip to $69,000 by year four. While that 5% decline might reflect graduates transitioning to specialized roles or pursuing further education, it's worth understanding before committing. The good news? That initial salary still beats 60% of Florida's nursing programs and sits well above both state and national medians, while the $13,886 in typical debt is less than half what most Florida nursing students carry.

The debt burden here makes this program genuinely affordable. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, graduates owe just two months' salary—manageable by any standard. Given that 40% of Broward students receive Pell grants, the school clearly serves working families effectively without saddling them with crushing debt. You're looking at Florida's third-best value in nursing when comparing debt to outcomes.

The earnings dip warrants a conversation with your child about career goals. If they plan to work bedside immediately and stay in that role, this program launches them ahead of most Florida nurses. If they're considering grad school or specialty certifications that might temporarily reduce hours, that pattern becomes less concerning. Either way, the low debt means they'll have financial flexibility to make those choices without being trapped by loan payments.