Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of South Carolina Beaufort

University of South Carolina Beaufort's nursing program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground—graduates earn roughly $9,000 less than the South Carolina median and lag $10,000 behind the national benchmark for nursing programs. At the 5th percentile nationally, this ranks among the lowest-earning nursing degrees in the country, though its 40th percentile standing within South Carolina suggests the state itself may have lower nursing pay scales than other regions.

The $27,000 debt load is standard for nursing programs, and the 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates should manage repayment reasonably well. Earnings do grow 10% over four years to $71,391, which indicates career progression, but even that four-year figure falls short of what many SC nursing programs deliver immediately after graduation. Schools like Coastal Carolina and Lander place graduates at starting salaries well above USC Beaufort's four-year mark.

For families committed to staying in the Beaufort area, this program offers an accessible entry point into nursing at a manageable debt level. However, if your child has options at other SC public universities, the earnings gap—potentially $6,000-13,000 annually compared to peers at other state schools—adds up to significant lifetime income differences. The degree will lead to employment, but it won't maximize earning potential within the profession.