Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southeastern College-West Palm Beach

Southeastern College-West Palm Beach produces nursing graduates who earn above Florida's median but carry debt levels that rank among the highest in the nation. While first-year earnings of $67,608 beat the state median by nearly $3,000, graduates leave with $35,090 in debt—roughly $10,000 more than typical Florida nursing programs and nearly double the national median.

The real concern is what happens after graduation. Earnings barely budge over four years, growing just 4% to $70,367, while graduates at top Florida programs often see more significant gains. You're essentially paying premium tuition (reflected in that debt) for middle-of-the-pack outcomes. Several community colleges and public institutions deliver comparable or better earnings with half the debt load—Broward College and Valencia College being prime examples with similar first-year earnings but far lower borrowing.

The math works, but just barely. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable for nursing, but there's little margin for error if your child needs extra time to complete the program or faces any financial setbacks. With 77% of students receiving Pell grants, this school clearly serves a population that needs the credential to work quickly. If your child has been admitted to a Florida public college nursing program, that's almost certainly the better financial choice. If this is the only accessible option due to scheduling or admission constraints, the career prospects are solid enough to make the debt serviceable—just know you're paying more for similar results.