Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

The debt picture here tells a compelling story: Bryant & Stratton's nursing graduates carry significantly more debt than typical—$33,892 versus a national median of just $20,751 and Virginia's $20,010. However, they also start with stronger earnings than most, hitting nearly $69,000 in their first year, which ranks in the 60th percentile among Virginia nursing programs. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they owe.

The concerning trend is what happens next. While most nursing careers see steady salary growth, Bryant & Stratton graduates actually see their median earnings drop to $65,000 by year four—a 6% decline that's unusual for this field. This suggests either career mobility challenges or perhaps that the initial high earners represent a specific subset rather than the program norm. When you compare this to top Virginia performers like Southside College ($75,357) or Northern Virginia Community College ($72,905), the value proposition becomes questionable.

With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students who need financial aid, but the higher debt load combined with declining earnings creates unnecessary risk. Virginia has strong, more affordable nursing programs that deliver better long-term outcomes—making this a difficult program to recommend despite its solid initial placement numbers.