Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at City College-Hollywood

The estimated debt load of $34,859 for an associate's degree in nursing exceeds both the state median ($25,749) and national median ($20,751) by a significant margin—this is notably high given that most nursing programs at this level borrow far less. While comparable Florida programs suggest first-year earnings around $64,700, making the debt serviceable with a 0.54 ratio, the question is whether this premium borrowing is justified when nearby community colleges like Broward and Valencia appear to produce stronger outcomes with likely lower costs.

What complicates the picture is that earnings actually dip by four years out to $60,641, which is unusual for nursing where experience typically commands higher wages. This could reflect part-time work transitions, geographic moves, or simply the limits of estimated data. However, with actual reported outcomes from top Florida programs ranging from $71,000 to $73,500 for first-year nurses, there's clearly a performance gap that parents should investigate.

For a program serving 100% Pell-eligible students, that $34,859 debt figure represents real financial risk if the estimated earnings don't materialize. Before committing, compare actual graduation rates, NCLEX pass rates, and job placement numbers against those high-performing public colleges. The open-admission model provides access, but the debt-to-value equation only works if students complete the program and land those nursing jobs immediately.