Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University's nursing program delivers solid starting salaries but shows a concerning earnings decline over time. Graduates earn $77,224 in their first year—above both national ($74,888) and Florida ($76,508) medians—but see their earnings drop to $73,951 by year four. This negative 4% growth pattern is unusual for nursing, a field that typically rewards experience with higher pay.

The debt picture is actually quite favorable. At $31,000, graduates borrow more than the Florida median ($23,261) but significantly less than the national average, ranking in the 24th percentile for debt nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 is manageable, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to service their loans. However, the program ranks exactly at the 60th percentile both nationally and within Florida—solidly middle-of-the-pack performance that doesn't justify premium private school costs.

The real concern is opportunity cost. Florida's top nursing programs, including community colleges like Valencia and Miami Dade, produce graduates earning $90,000+ in their first year—nearly $15,000 more than NSU. Given nursing's strong job market and standardized licensing requirements, paying private tuition for middle-tier outcomes makes little financial sense. Your child would likely achieve better ROI at a high-performing state school or community college program.