Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Gwinnett College-Lilburn

A $38,259 debt load for an associate's nursing program stands out immediately—it's nearly double both the state median ($19,166) and the national benchmark ($20,751) for this credential. While similar nursing programs in Georgia suggest first-year earnings around $71,000, that estimated figure produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning graduates would owe more than half a year's salary. Even the reported four-year earnings of $58,254 (notably lower than the first-year estimate, which is unusual for nursing) wouldn't make this debt easy to manage.

The comparison to Georgia's technical colleges is stark. Chattahoochee Technical, West Georgia Technical, and Southern Crescent all report significantly higher earnings while charging far less. Georgia's public two-year nursing programs typically produce graduates earning $75,000-$85,000 within a few years, with debt loads half or even a third of what Gwinnett College charges. With 82% of students here receiving Pell grants, this debt burden hits families who can least afford it.

For parents weighing this program, the question is straightforward: why pay twice the typical cost for a nursing degree when peer programs in the same region produce stronger outcomes? The credential itself—an ADN from an accredited program—should qualify graduates for the same RN licensure exam and job market. Unless there are compelling scheduling or location advantages specific to your family's situation, the numbers suggest looking at Georgia's public technical college system first.