Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of South Alabama

University of South Alabama's nursing program starts graduates off earning $69,447—competitive within Alabama at the 60th percentile among state nursing programs, though trailing the national median by about $5,400. With $26,000 in debt, new graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning they'd dedicate roughly one-third of their first year's salary to loan payments.

The concerning pattern emerges in year four, when median earnings drop to $61,022—a 12% decline that bucks the typical career trajectory. This puts graduates behind not only top Alabama programs like Tuskegee ($78,874) and South University-Montgomery ($77,635), but also below the state median of $67,120. The earnings decline is particularly puzzling given nursing's typically strong career progression and Alabama's growing healthcare sector.

For parents evaluating this investment, the program offers reasonable debt levels and solid initial placement, but the backward earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term career prospects. While nursing remains a stable career choice with strong job security, this specific program appears to underperform compared to stronger alternatives within Alabama's nursing education landscape.