Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Radford M Locklin Technical College

The debt burden here looks more manageable than most nursing programs. Based on comparable certificate and diploma programs nationally, graduates carry an estimated $19,250 in debt—significantly below both the national median of $23,562 and Florida's state median of $25,430. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.29, meaning less than four months of first-year salary would cover the full debt load.

First-year earnings of around $66,400 align with national patterns for nursing certificate programs, which makes sense given Florida's strong healthcare job market. The lower debt at Radford Locklin compared to peer programs suggests this pathway might be more affordable than traditional nursing routes, though it's worth noting these figures come from similar programs nationally rather than tracked outcomes from this specific school.

The practical reality: if these estimates hold, your child would start with solid earning power and relatively light debt. The 16% Pell Grant rate suggests this institution serves fewer low-income students than many technical colleges, but that doesn't tell you much about outcomes. What matters is whether this certificate opens the same doors as programs at the 14 other Florida schools offering nursing credentials—something you'll need to verify directly with employers and the state nursing board about credential recognition and hiring preferences.