Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Palm Beach State College

Palm Beach State's nursing program offers a solid financial foundation with below-average debt ($14,837 versus $25,749 statewide), though earnings fall short of Florida's top nursing schools. Starting at $67,495—about $3,000 above the state median—graduates carry debt equal to just 22% of first-year income, making this an accessible path into nursing for students who need to borrow.

The notable drop in earnings from year one to year four deserves attention. While many nursing programs show income gains as graduates gain experience, this program's trajectory moves in the opposite direction. This could reflect graduates shifting to lower-paying settings, taking on part-time roles, or other factors unrelated to the education itself. Still, even at the four-year mark, earnings remain above Florida's nursing median while debt stays well below it.

For families prioritizing affordability and immediate employment, this program delivers a reasonable return. You're not getting the $73,000 starting salaries of Florida's highest-earning programs, but you're also avoiding the debt burden that often comes with them. The combination of manageable debt and earnings that consistently beat state medians makes this a practical choice, particularly for students who will work while in school or need to minimize borrowing.