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

Daytona College's nursing program produces graduates earning nearly $70,000 within their first year—about $5,000 above the Florida median for associate nursing programs. That 60th percentile ranking among 73 Florida schools means this program outperforms most competitors statewide, though it trails top performers like Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations by roughly $3,700. The $32,500 debt load sits well above both state and national medians, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, graduates should be able to manage payments on a single year's salary.

The concerning caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The program serves a majority Pell-eligible population (58%), which is meaningful for families considering affordability, but the higher debt burden compared to community college alternatives warrants careful attention. Several Florida community colleges deliver similar or better first-year earnings with substantially less debt.

For families comfortable with the small-program risk, the earnings performance is solid and puts graduates in better financial position than most Florida nursing grads. However, if cost containment is a priority, larger Florida programs with more consistent track records might offer better value.