Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Georgia State University-Perimeter College

Georgia State-Perimeter College's nursing graduates earn well above the national median at nearly $74,000, but they're paying more than twice the typical debt to get there—$30,000 versus Georgia's $19,000 median. That debt premium matters when you consider several Georgia technical colleges are producing nurses who earn $80,000+ with substantially less borrowing. At 60th percentile within Georgia, this program sits solidly in the middle of the state's nursing options, not at the top where the debt load might be more justified.

The flat earnings trajectory—essentially no growth between years one and four—is unusual for nursing, where experience typically translates to higher pay. Combined with the higher-than-average debt, this creates a less attractive financial package than programs like Chattahoochee Technical College, where graduates earn $86,000 with less debt burden. The 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and nursing fundamentals still apply: steady demand, decent starting pay, clear career path.

For families, this comes down to access versus value. The 100% admission rate means your child will get in, but they'll graduate with debt levels that exceed what most Georgia nursing programs require. Unless location in Atlanta is essential, exploring technical colleges that deliver stronger earnings outcomes at lower cost makes financial sense.