Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing

Looking at nursing programs across Virginia, graduates typically earn around $68,500 in their first year—a solid starting point for an associate degree. Standard Healthcare Services appears to align with this state median, suggesting competitive earning potential. However, the estimated debt of $36,000 is notably higher than what most Virginia nursing programs report. The state median sits around $20,000, meaning this program could saddle your child with nearly double the typical debt load for the same credential.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 isn't alarming on its own—many nursing graduates can manage these payments given steady healthcare employment. But context matters: peer programs in the state routinely produce similar outcomes with $16,000 less debt. Even higher-earning programs like Southside ($75,357 starting salary) or Northern Virginia Community College ($72,905) typically come with lower price tags. The school's 50% Pell grant population suggests many families are already stretching financially, which makes the premium cost harder to justify.

Before committing, request actual placement and earnings data specific to this program—small graduate cohorts mean the estimates here are particularly uncertain. Compare the total cost of attendance against nearby community colleges offering nursing degrees, which often provide clinical rotations at the same hospitals for significantly less money. Your child can become an RN through multiple pathways; this one appears more expensive than necessary.