Est. Earnings (1yr)
$71,823
Est. from NC median (28 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,392
Est. from NC median (12 programs)

Analysis

A $24,400 debt load for a nursing bachelor's puts Carolinas College in a relatively strong position among NC programs, though the figures here are estimates based on comparable nursing schools in the state rather than tracked outcomes from this specific institution. North Carolina nursing bachelor's programs typically saddle graduates with $26,186 in debt, and the national median sits at $27,000, so this estimate suggests a below-average borrowing burden for a field where job security runs high.

The estimated first-year earnings of $71,823 align almost exactly with the state median for nursing bachelor's programs, though several NC schools report considerably higher outcomes—Chamberlain and University of Mount Olive graduates earn over $80,000 in their first year. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 remains manageable by most standards, particularly in a profession where starting salaries climb steadily and job prospects stay consistently strong. Charlotte's robust healthcare market should provide ample employment options for new RNs.

The challenge here is uncertainty: with both earnings and debt figures derived from peer programs, you're essentially betting that this school's graduates will perform like the typical NC nursing program. Given nursing's generally reliable outcomes and the moderate debt estimate, that's probably a reasonable wager—but recognize you're working without a track record specific to Carolinas College. If your student can secure admission to one of the higher-earning programs with reported data, the comparison becomes worth making.

Where Carolinas College of Health Sciences Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (33 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Carolinas College of Health SciencesCharlotte$19,095$71,823*$24,392*
Chamberlain University-North CarolinaCharlotte$19,686$83,188*$81,995$39,146*0.47
University of Mount OliveMount Olive$25,950$81,493*$78,472$27,094*0.33
South University-High PointHigh Point$20,650$77,635*$78,626$41,815*0.54
Duke UniversityDurham$65,805$77,288*$71,426$29,000*0.38
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham$6,542$76,142*$73,033$40,000*0.53
National Median$74,888*$27,000*0.36
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Carolinas College of Health Sciences, approximately 17% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 28 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.