Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at South College

Comparable nursing programs in Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $65,000—solid for an associate degree—but the estimated $34,875 in debt here is notably higher than typical for this credential. Most Tennessee nursing programs report median debt of $16,423, and nationally the figure sits at $20,751. That means students at South College are potentially borrowing nearly twice what peers at other state programs take on.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 isn't catastrophic—it suggests manageable monthly payments—but it raises questions about value when several Tennessee community colleges produce similar or better earnings outcomes with far less debt. Programs at Dyersburg State ($74,386 earnings, presumably lower debt as a public institution) or Southwest Tennessee ($72,913) offer instructive comparisons. With half of South College students receiving Pell grants, that extra debt burden falls disproportionately on families who can least afford it.

Before committing, get concrete answers from South College about actual graduation rates, NCLEX pass rates, and job placement specifics. The earnings potential in nursing is real, but only if your child completes the program, passes licensing exams, and secures employment—and those outcomes matter more than estimated salary figures when you're comparing a $35,000 price tag to options that cost half as much.