Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at South University-High Point

South University-High Point's nursing program delivers above-average starting salaries but comes with a significant debt burden that parents should carefully consider. Graduates earn $77,635 in their first year—well above both the national median ($74,888) and North Carolina's median ($71,822) for nursing programs. Among North Carolina's 33 nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, putting it in solid middle-tier territory alongside programs at Duke and NC Central.

However, the financial picture is complicated by high student debt. At $41,815, graduates carry 55% more debt than the national median and 60% more than the typical North Carolina nursing program. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is manageable, it means graduates will likely face higher monthly payments than peers from other programs. The concerning aspect is virtually flat earnings growth—just 1% over four years—suggesting limited salary advancement potential.

For families considering this investment, the program offers competitive starting pay but at a premium price. The 55% Pell Grant recipient rate indicates the school serves many lower-income students, yet saddles them with above-average debt loads. While nursing generally provides job security and decent pay, families should compare total program costs against more affordable in-state options like UNC Wilmington, which offers similar earnings with significantly lower debt.