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

The $41,815 in estimated debt here is nearly double Florida's median for nursing bachelor's programs—$23,261—which matters when most comparable programs produce similar first-year earnings in the $76,000 range. Peer schools in Florida's community college system are sending nursing graduates into the workforce with roughly half the debt load while achieving earnings that sometimes exceed six figures. When Valencia College nursing grads earn $93,751 or Seminole State grads hit $89,194, both with lower typical debt, the value equation shifts considerably.

That said, nursing remains one of the more reliable pathways to middle-class earnings, and the estimated 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio—while higher than ideal—suggests this program's debt burden is at least manageable relative to first-year income. With 58% of Daytona College students receiving Pell grants, this program may serve students who need evening flexibility or geographic accessibility that larger state schools can't provide. But the financial premium is real: you're potentially paying an extra $18,000-$20,000 for that convenience.

The bottom line: If cost is a primary concern and your child can access one of Florida's community college nursing programs, those typically deliver better financial outcomes. If Daytona College offers unique access advantages that make degree completion more likely, the debt becomes more justifiable—but only if finishing on time is realistic given your family's circumstances.