Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Georgian Court University

Georgian Court graduates enter one of New Jersey's most lucrative nursing markets earning nearly $86,000 immediately—impressive by national standards but solidly middle-of-the-pack in a state where new RN graduates routinely break six figures. While this program lands in the 86th percentile nationally, it sits at the 40th percentile among New Jersey nursing programs, where schools like Montclair State and Kean send graduates into the workforce earning $18,000-$20,000 more annually. That gap compounds when you consider earnings actually dip to $82,750 by year four, rather than climbing with experience and specialized certifications.

The debt picture offers some consolation: at $24,750, it's roughly $2,250 below both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. This means graduates can expect to earn their entire debt back in about three and a half months—perfectly reasonable for a healthcare career with strong job security.

For families considering this program, the value proposition depends heavily on alternative options. If your child is choosing between Georgian Court and a program outside New Jersey, this represents excellent value. But if admission to Montclair State, Kean, or even Ramapo is on the table, those schools deliver substantially higher starting salaries—potentially $100,000 more over the first five years—for similar or even lower debt loads. The savings on tuition at Georgian Court won't offset the lifetime earnings difference from starting your career $15,000-$20,000 behind.