Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southside College of Health Sciences

Southside's nursing graduates earn $75,357 in their first year—beating the national median by $7,000 and landing in the 79th percentile nationally. That's a strong start, particularly at a debt load of $20,609, which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27. Among Virginia's 31 nursing programs, this ranks solidly in the middle of the pack (60th percentile), trailing heavy hitters like Northern Virginia Community College but still outperforming the state median.

The challenge emerges in the four-year timeline: earnings drop to $68,500, erasing most of that initial advantage. This pattern isn't unusual for associate's-degree nursing programs, where many graduates either shift to less demanding roles, reduce hours for work-life balance, or pursue additional education. Still, even after this decline, graduates are earning at or above the Virginia median for nursing programs.

The math remains favorable. At this debt level, most graduates should comfortably manage loan payments while building stable careers in a high-demand field. For families prioritizing quick entry into the workforce with minimal debt, Southside delivers on that promise—just understand that the impressive first-year salary may represent the peak rather than a launching point.