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

South University-Columbia's nursing program delivers solid earnings that outperform both national and state averages, with graduates earning $77,635 in their first year compared to the national median of $74,888 and South Carolina's $73,682. However, this comes at a significant cost—the program's debt load of $41,815 is substantially higher than typical nursing programs, which average $27,000 both nationally and in South Carolina. This places the program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 95% of nursing programs nationwide saddle students with less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means your child would graduate owing about 6.5 months of their first-year salary, which is manageable but not ideal for a field known for strong job security and steady income. What's concerning is the virtually flat earnings growth—just 1% from year one to year four—suggesting graduates may hit an early ceiling. Among South Carolina's nursing programs, this ranks in the middle of the pack, trailing schools like Coastal Carolina ($84,021) and Lander ($78,485) that likely offer better value propositions.

The bottom line: while this program produces competent nurses who earn above-average salaries, the high debt burden significantly erodes its value. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families may struggle with these debt levels. Consider the stronger-performing, lower-cost alternatives within South Carolina before committing to this program.