Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Coastal Carolina Community College

Starting salaries near $60,000 might look reasonable at first glance, but Coastal Carolina's nursing program sits in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and lands at the state median—a concerning position when North Carolina's nursing programs already trail the national average by about $1,000. More troubling: while most nursing graduates see steady income growth, these graduates actually earn less four years out ($57,900) than they did initially. With the small sample size here, it's hard to know if this reflects actual career trajectories or just statistical noise.

The one bright spot is remarkably low debt at $8,750—roughly half the state average and well below the $20,751 national median. This means graduates face manageable payments even if earnings remain flat. Still, when nearby programs like Robeson Community College and Stanly Community College place their graduates $17,000-$18,000 higher, the opportunity cost is real. Those earnings differences compound to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career.

For an anxious parent, the math is straightforward: the debt burden won't crush your child, but the earning potential lags significantly behind other NC nursing programs. If Coastal Carolina is the most convenient option and your child can graduate quickly with minimal debt, it provides a viable path into nursing. But if other community colleges are realistic alternatives, those $15,000+ higher starting salaries would likely justify the extra commute or relocation costs.