Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Northwest Florida State College

Northwest Florida State College's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $71,737—notably above both the state median ($64,718) and national average ($68,409). At 60th percentile among Florida's 73 nursing programs, graduates initially earn more than many peers while carrying significantly less debt ($14,000 versus $25,749 state median). That 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests an affordable path into nursing.

The concern is what happens next: earnings drop to $54,920 by year four, a 23% decline that's unusual for nursing. This could reflect graduates shifting to part-time work, moving into lower-paying specialties, or leaving bedside nursing altogether. With a sample size under 30 graduates, though, even a few individuals making career changes could skew the pattern. The small cohort makes it difficult to know whether this decline represents a program-wide trend or just statistical noise from tracking a handful of people.

For families prioritizing affordability and immediate earning potential, this program delivers—graduates enter the workforce earning well with minimal debt burden. The earnings drop warrants attention during campus visits: ask about graduate employment patterns and whether the program tracks why some nurses' salaries decline. The strong starting position and low debt provide a cushion even if long-term earnings don't match the initial promise.