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

University of West Florida's nursing program shows a troubling earnings trajectory that sets it apart from typical nursing careers. While graduates start strong at $73,787—close to national averages—their earnings actually decline to $67,805 by year four, representing an 8% drop when most nursing careers are ascending. This pattern is particularly concerning in Florida's competitive nursing market, where this program ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings despite the state's generally strong healthcare compensation.

The debt picture compounds these concerns. At $21,740, graduates carry significantly more debt than the national median of $27,000, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 becomes less favorable as those earnings decline over time. Florida's top nursing programs demonstrate what's possible—Miami Dade College and Valencia College graduates earn over $90,000 annually, showing this isn't a statewide issue but rather program-specific performance.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers suggest caution. While nursing remains a solid career choice, this particular program underperforms both state and national benchmarks while saddling students with above-average debt. The robust sample size makes these findings reliable, not statistical noise. Families should explore Florida's higher-performing nursing programs, including several community colleges that deliver superior outcomes at likely lower cost.