Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at South University-West Palm Beach

South University-West Palm Beach's nursing program delivers solid earnings that exceed both national and Florida medians, but comes with a significant debt burden that raises value concerns. Graduates earn $77,635 in their first year—about $3,000 more than the national average and $1,100 above Florida's median. However, the program's debt load of $41,815 is nearly double both the national ($27,000) and state ($23,261) medians, placing it in the problematic 5th percentile nationally for debt levels.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means graduates carry debt equal to more than half their first-year salary, which is manageable but concerning given the minimal earnings growth (just 1% over four years). This "early peak" pattern suggests nurses hit their earning potential quickly but don't see substantial salary increases later. When you consider that several Florida community colleges and public institutions produce graduates earning $89,000-$94,000 annually with likely much lower debt loads, this program's value proposition becomes questionable.

For families prioritizing financial outcomes, this program represents a path to stable nursing employment but at a premium price. The robust sample size makes these numbers reliable, and while the earnings are respectable, the high debt burden compared to in-state alternatives suggests you'd likely get better value elsewhere in Florida's nursing education landscape.