Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University

Palm Beach Atlantic's nursing program charges above-average debt ($25,348 vs. $23,261 state median) but produces earnings that lag most Florida nursing schools. At $70,586 in year one, graduates earn less than the typical Florida nursing grad ($76,508) and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Florida nursing programs deliver better starting salaries. Compare that to nearby public colleges where graduates routinely start above $90,000.

The bigger concern is the trajectory: earnings actually drop 13% by year four, falling to $61,117. While the initial debt load is manageable at 0.36 times first-year income, that ratio becomes less favorable as earnings decline. This backwards pattern is unusual in nursing, where experience typically commands higher pay. It could reflect graduates moving to lower-paying settings or working reduced hours, but without knowing why, it's a risk factor.

For $25,000 in debt, you'd expect your child to land solidly in the middle of Florida's nursing salary range—not in the bottom half with declining prospects. Unless Palm Beach Atlantic offers specific advantages like location or campus environment that matter enough to offset $15,000+ in foregone annual earnings compared to top state programs, the financial return doesn't justify the private school premium here.