Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Rasmussen University-Florida

Among Florida's 110 practical nursing programs, Rasmussen's Ocala campus lands solidly in the 60th percentile for earnings—meaning graduates typically out-earn peers at most other Florida schools. More importantly, they achieve this while carrying just $21,274 in debt, which is roughly half the national median debt load and represents less than six months of their starting salary. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, graduates can realistically pay off loans within a few years of entering the workforce.

The earnings trajectory is steady rather than spectacular—$45,271 at year one rising to $46,881 by year four—but that's typical for practical nursing roles where pay scales plateau relatively quickly. What matters here is the combination: above-average Florida earnings with well-below-average debt. While top Florida programs like Florida State College at Jacksonville post significantly higher earnings ($57,579), they may come with different cost structures or admissions requirements.

For families seeking an affordable entry point into nursing, particularly given that 55% of students receive Pell grants, this program delivers a manageable debt burden and immediate earning potential that exceeds most Florida alternatives. The strong sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't outlier results—this is the consistent outcome students can expect.