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

Middle Georgia State's nursing program delivers something increasingly rare: truly manageable debt. At $23,000, graduates leave owing about $4,000 less than the state median and well below the national average—meaning loan payments that won't dominate a new nurse's budget. That's the good news, and for families watching college costs spiral, it matters.

The earnings picture is more complicated. Starting salary of $70,650 sits below both Georgia's median ($76,557) and ranks at just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Georgia nursing programs deliver higher pay. When you consider that nearby programs like Georgia Highlands and East Georgia State see their graduates earning $13,000-$14,000 more annually, the gap becomes harder to ignore. More concerning, earnings actually slip slightly by year four rather than growing, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 remains reasonable enough to repay comfortably.

For families prioritizing affordability above all else, this program keeps debt minimal while still leading to solid nursing employment. But if your student can gain admission to one of Georgia's stronger nursing programs—many of which don't cost significantly more—the earnings difference could mean $50,000+ in additional income over just four years. That's worth a serious look at other options, particularly the state's community college nursing programs that combine lower cost with stronger outcomes.