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

USF's nursing program delivers solid employment outcomes but falls short of maximizing earning potential in Florida's competitive market. With first-year earnings of $72,879, graduates earn about $3,600 less than the typical Florida nursing graduate and $2,000 below the national average. More concerning, this program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Florida's 72 nursing programs—meaning 60% of comparable programs in the state produce higher-earning graduates.

The financial picture is mixed but manageable. At $22,452, student debt sits below both state and national medians, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31. However, the virtual absence of salary growth (+1% over four years) suggests graduates may hit an early earnings ceiling rather than building toward higher-paying positions over time.

When community colleges like Valencia and Miami Dade are producing nursing graduates who earn $20,000+ more annually, USF's four-year program raises value questions. While the degree provides solid entry into nursing with manageable debt, your child would likely have better earning prospects at several other Florida institutions. If choosing USF for other reasons (location, campus experience), the nursing program won't derail career prospects, but it's not the state's strongest pathway to maximizing nursing income.