Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Valencia College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Valencia College's nursing program produces graduates earning $93,751 in their first year—nearly $20,000 above the national median and competitive with Florida's top nursing programs. While it ranks at the 60th percentile within Florida (a state with 72 nursing programs), this still places it ahead of most options and just $2,100 behind the state's highest earner, West Coast University-Miami. The debt picture is equally compelling: at $22,158, graduates carry less debt than typical Florida nursing students while earning significantly more, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24—meaning graduates earn their entire debt load back in roughly three months.
This represents exceptional value for a community college program, particularly for the 39% of students receiving Pell grants. You're getting near-top-tier Florida nursing salaries without the premium price tag of private institutions. The strong first-year earnings suggest Valencia's Orlando location and clinical partnerships translate directly into well-paying positions in Central Florida's robust healthcare market.
For families weighing nursing programs, Valencia delivers top-quartile national outcomes at community college pricing. The combination of low debt and high starting salary makes this an easy financial decision—graduates can build wealth immediately rather than spending years catching up on loans.
Where Valencia College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Valencia College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Valencia College graduates earn $94k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors programs nationally.
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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College | $93,751 | — | $22,158 | 0.24 |
| West Coast University-Miami | $95,859 | $98,869 | $38,145 | 0.40 |
| Miami Dade College | $90,158 | — | $12,500 | 0.14 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | $89,194 | — | $22,134 | 0.25 |
| Pasco-Hernando State College | $89,145 | — | $22,097 | 0.25 |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa | $85,169 | — | $51,854 | 0.61 |
| National Median | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Florida
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast University-Miami Doral | $23,691 | $95,859 | $38,145 |
| Miami Dade College Miami | $2,838 | $90,158 | $12,500 |
| Seminole State College of Florida Sanford | $3,227 | $89,194 | $22,134 |
| Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey | $3,155 | $89,145 | $22,097 |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa Tampa | $23,093 | $85,169 | $51,854 |
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 Valencia College, approximately 39% 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 41 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.