Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Florence-Darlington Technical College

Nursing programs in South Carolina share remarkably similar outcomes, which makes the estimated figures here particularly reliable as a planning tool. Based on comparable associate nursing programs across the state, graduates typically earn around $69,200 in their first year—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $68,409. The estimated debt of $23,425 falls below the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 that should be manageable on a registered nurse's salary.

What's worth noting is how tightly clustered South Carolina's nursing programs are in terms of outcomes. The top-performing programs in the state report first-year earnings between $70,500 and $73,700—a relatively narrow spread that suggests Florence-Darlington likely produces similar results, even without its own published data. For a two-year credential that leads directly to RN licensure, these economics work in your favor: you're looking at roughly four months of gross earnings to cover the debt, with immediate access to a profession facing persistent shortages.

The practical question isn't whether this program offers good value—it almost certainly does, based on what we know about peer programs—but rather whether your child can navigate the academic rigor and clinical requirements successfully. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, the school clearly serves students from various economic backgrounds, and the nursing pathway remains one of the more reliable routes to stable middle-class earnings with minimal educational debt.