Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southern Wesleyan University

Based on comparable nursing programs in South Carolina, this BSN path suggests solid financial footing—estimated first-year earnings of around $74,000 against $27,000 in debt puts graduates in position to manage repayment comfortably. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means you'd owe roughly what you'd earn in four and a half months, which is reasonable by any measure for a healthcare credential.

The catch is that these figures come from peer programs across South Carolina, not Southern Wesleyan's specific outcomes. While nursing degrees tend to produce more consistent results than many fields—skills transfer directly to regulated, in-demand positions—there's variation even among SC schools. Top performers like Coastal Carolina report first-year earnings above $84,000, suggesting location, clinical partnerships, and preparation quality all matter. Southern Wesleyan's open admission and modest SAT scores don't necessarily predict weaker nursing outcomes (the NCLEX pass rate matters more than incoming stats), but the lack of reported data means you're making this investment without the program's actual track record.

The practical question: nursing credentials generally pay off, and these estimates align with state and national norms. But you're choosing a program that either hasn't built a large enough graduate base for the Department of Education to track outcomes, or hasn't been offering this degree configuration long enough to generate data. If Southern Wesleyan offers distinct advantages—location, schedule flexibility, clinical sites near home—the estimated numbers suggest it could work. Just recognize you're relying on the broader nursing market rather than this school's proven results.