Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Herzing University-Orlando

This Herzing University nursing program presents a concerning value proposition, particularly when compared to Florida alternatives. While graduates earn a solid $75,774 in their first year—slightly above the national average—they rank in just the 40th percentile among Florida nursing programs, meaning 60% of in-state options produce higher-earning graduates. More troubling, earnings actually decline by 7% over four years, suggesting limited career advancement opportunities compared to typical nursing trajectories.

The debt picture is especially problematic. At $43,985, graduates carry nearly twice the debt of typical Florida nursing students ($23,261) and 63% more than the national average ($27,000). This places the program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt levels—meaning 95% of nursing programs nationwide saddle students with less debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is manageable but not competitive given Florida's nursing market.

The most striking issue is opportunity cost. Top Florida nursing programs like Valencia College and Miami Dade College produce graduates earning $90,000+—roughly $15,000-20,000 more annually—while typically charging far less. Given that many excellent, more affordable nursing options exist throughout Florida, this program's combination of below-median state earnings and above-average debt makes it difficult to recommend as a smart investment for your child's nursing career.