Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Florida
Bachelor's Degree
ufl.eduAnalysis
University of Florida's nursing program produces surprisingly modest outcomes for such a prestigious institution. Despite UF's highly selective admissions and strong academic reputation, nursing graduates here earn less than the typical Florida nursing graduate—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide at $73,711 in their first year.
The program's relative weakness becomes clearer when compared to Florida's nursing landscape. Community colleges like Valencia and Miami Dade are producing graduates who earn $20,000+ more annually, while UF nursing students graduate with debt levels in the 89th percentile nationally. The debt burden of nearly $20,000, while manageable given nursing's solid earning potential, is concerning when paired with below-average earnings that actually decline to $68,854 by year four.
For families paying UF's tuition premium, this program doesn't deliver the expected return on investment. Florida's community college nursing programs consistently outperform UF in earnings while likely costing significantly less. Unless your child is specifically drawn to UF's research opportunities or four-year university experience, they'd be better served financially at one of Florida's top-performing nursing programs at the community college level.
Where University of Florida Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Florida graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | $73,711 | $68,854 | -7% |
| West Coast University-Miami | $95,859 | $98,869 | +3% |
| Broward College | $79,135 | $94,497 | +19% |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $77,345 | $87,813 | +14% |
| Rasmussen University-Florida | $74,861 | $82,469 | +10% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (72 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of FloridaGainesville | $6,381 | $73,711 | $68,854 | $19,934 | 0.27 |
 West Coast University-MiamiDoral | $23,691 | $95,859 | $98,869 | $38,145 | 0.40 |
 Valencia CollegeOrlando | $2,474 | $93,751 | — | $22,158 | 0.24 |
 Miami Dade CollegeMiami | $2,838 | $90,158 | — | $12,500 | 0.14 |
 Seminole State College of FloridaSanford | $3,227 | $89,194 | — | $22,134 | 0.25 |
 Pasco-Hernando State CollegeNew Port Richey | $3,155 | $89,145 | — | $22,097 | 0.25 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Florida, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 373 graduates with reported earnings and 314 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.