Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Georgia State University

Georgia State's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $78,165—above both the national and Georgia medians. However, the earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story: graduates see their median income drop to $72,421 by year four, falling below what peers at other Georgia schools are earning. Among the state's 37 nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but notably behind schools like East Georgia State College and Georgia Highlands College, where graduates earn over $83,000.

The debt load of $26,430 is reasonable and slightly better than both state and national benchmarks, creating a manageable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. That's a healthy starting point financially. The concern isn't the debt—it's what happens after that initial salary. The earnings decline over four years is unusual for nursing, a field that typically rewards experience with higher pay. This could reflect graduates moving into lower-paying specialties, part-time work, or other factors specific to this cohort.

For Georgia families, this program offers a respectable entry into nursing at a state university serving many first-generation students, but the numbers suggest graduates may find better long-term earning potential at some of the state's smaller public institutions. The education is sound—just be aware that peak earnings may come immediately after graduation rather than years down the road.