Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus

With starting salaries over $71,000 and relatively modest debt of $17,125, Rowan-Gloucester's nursing program delivers solid returns—but New Jersey families should know there are notably stronger options in-state. While this program beats the national median by about $3,500, it trails the New Jersey median by roughly $3,500, landing in just the 40th percentile among the state's 23 nursing programs. Several nearby community colleges place graduates into jobs paying $10,000-$20,000 more annually, which compounds significantly over a career.

That said, the fundamentals remain sound. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 means graduates owe less than three months of their starting salary—manageable by any standard. Earnings also grow healthily to $85,631 by year four, and nursing credentials from an associate program provide geographic mobility and job security that matter beyond the initial paycheck.

The practical takeaway: If your child has already been admitted here or finds the location ideal, this program won't saddle them with problematic debt and will lead to a stable, well-paying career. But if you're still comparing options, look closely at programs like Ocean County College or Raritan Valley that deliver markedly higher starting salaries for similar or lower debt. In a field where initial placement matters, that $10,000+ salary difference is worth the extra research.