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

South University-Savannah's nursing program delivers solid early career earnings at $77,635—above both national and Georgia medians—but comes with a significant debt burden that sets it apart from more affordable alternatives. While graduates earn in the 60th percentile nationally and within Georgia, they carry $41,815 in debt compared to the state median of just $26,686. This creates a concerning debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning students graduate owing more than half their first-year salary.

The program's earnings trajectory is particularly troubling, showing virtually no growth over four years (just 1% increase). This "early peak" pattern means graduates can expect their starting salary to represent their ceiling for years to come. When you compare this to top Georgia nursing programs like East Georgia State College ($84,669 starting salary) or Georgia Highlands College ($83,986), the value proposition becomes questionable. Those alternatives likely offer similar or better earnings with significantly less debt.

For families considering this program, the high debt burden combined with flat earnings growth creates a challenging financial picture. While the starting salary is decent, the $15,000+ premium in debt compared to the Georgia median—with 72% of students receiving Pell grants—suggests this program may not be the best investment. Georgia offers numerous nursing programs with better debt-to-earnings profiles that would leave your child in a stronger financial position post-graduation.