Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota

State College of Florida's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $76,214—essentially matching the state median—but trails significantly behind Florida's top-performing programs. While graduates at Valencia College and Miami Dade College earn over $90,000, this program ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: by year four, median pay drops to $70,141, an 8% decline that's unusual in nursing and suggests graduates may be struggling to advance or facing regional wage constraints in the Bradenton-Sarasota market.

The debt picture is mixed. At $26,360, loans are slightly higher than the state median of $23,261, though the 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. Still, when you're borrowing more than peers at other Florida programs while earning less long-term, the investment calculus shifts. The moderate sample size means these patterns should be reliable, not statistical noise.

For Florida families, this program offers a path into nursing but not necessarily the strongest foundation for career growth. If your child can access one of the state's higher-performing nursing programs—particularly the community colleges with $90,000+ outcomes—that would provide better earnings potential for similar or lower debt. If this is the most accessible option, it still delivers reasonable entry into the field, but expect to supplement with strategic job choices and additional certifications to boost mid-career earnings.