Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Eastern Virginia Career College

The $25,881 in estimated debt here sits at more than double what Virginia nursing certificate programs typically carry, while the estimated first-year earnings of $66,398—drawn from national peer programs—actually exceeds the Virginia state median of $53,578. That creates an unusual dynamic: if Eastern Virginia's graduates match these national-level earnings, the debt load becomes more manageable, but if they track closer to typical Virginia outcomes, you're looking at a debt burden that takes much longer to justify.

The challenge is that both figures are estimates based on comparable programs elsewhere, not actual outcomes from Eastern Virginia graduates. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on significant financial risk for a credential that, in Virginia's market, might command closer to $54,000 rather than the $66,000 suggested by national benchmarks. Virginia's community colleges offer this same credential for roughly half the debt, with Brightpoint graduates earning $58,732—actual reported figures that suggest the more affordable path doesn't mean sacrificing income.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether Eastern Virginia's specific outcomes justify paying twice the typical Virginia debt load. Without actual graduate data from this school, you're betting that their results will beat state averages significantly. That's possible, but it's a bet—and one that could leave your child with $26,000 in debt if the returns don't materialize as hoped.