Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at South University-Austin

South University-Austin's nursing program delivers solid earnings but comes with concerning debt levels that set it apart from most nursing programs. Graduates earn $77,635 in their first year—about $950 more than the Texas median and $2,750 above the national average. However, they carry $41,815 in debt, which is significantly higher than both the Texas median ($25,697) and national median ($27,000). This debt burden ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of nursing programs saddle students with less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is manageable for nursing but not ideal, especially given the field's typically strong financial prospects. More troubling is the virtually flat earnings growth—just 1% from year one to year four—suggesting graduates may hit an early ceiling. When you compare this to top Texas programs like West Coast University-Texas ($95,859) or UT Houston-Clear Lake ($93,001), the value proposition becomes questionable.

For an anxious parent, the bottom line is clear: while your child will likely find employment as a nurse, this program charges premium prices for middle-tier outcomes. The high debt load combined with limited earnings growth means your child could be paying significantly more for a degree that performs only slightly better than the state average. Consider the higher-performing Texas programs first, especially public options that might offer better debt-to-value ratios.