Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's nursing program hits the ground running with first-year earnings of nearly $72,000, but that's essentially the ceiling—graduates actually earn slightly less four years out. At 60th percentile among Georgia nursing programs, it's solidly middle-of-the-pack in a competitive state market, though several technical colleges (Chattahoochee, West Georgia, Southern Crescent) deliver substantially stronger outcomes. The $27,000 in debt is higher than both the state median ($19,166) and national median for nursing associate degrees, which matters when earnings plateau rather than grow.

The math still works in absolute terms: a 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably manage their loans on a nursing salary. But Georgia offers 31 nursing programs, and this one ranks in the middle for outcomes while charging above-average debt. For families comparing options—especially those qualifying for in-state tuition at multiple technical colleges—this suggests looking closely at programs like Chattahoochee Tech or West Georgia Tech, where graduates earn $14,000-$15,000 more annually with comparable or lower debt loads.

This isn't a bad program, but it's not a standout in Georgia's crowded nursing landscape. If location in Gwinnett County is essential, the outcomes are acceptable. Otherwise, better value exists elsewhere in the state system.