At $31,303/yr net price, Nova Southeastern University graduates earn $59,209/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,209/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,303 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $125,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,209/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,209/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,140/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,648/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,839/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,872/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,861/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $176,775 | $238,601 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Master | $166,905 | $192,865 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Doctoral | $122,038 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $114,892 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $112,701 | $210,049 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $104,935 | $406,377 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $100,224 | $137,125 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $97,071 | |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Doctoral | $92,040 | $79,423 |
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $88,588 | $205,772 |
The Risk Factor
64.3% of students at Nova Southeastern University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Nova Southeastern gives you a mixed financial return that depends heavily on your major. At roughly $31k a year in net price, you're paying private-college money, and only nursing clears the bar to justify it. The median debt of $24,250 is manageable against the $59,209 median earnings, but that median hides a wide gap between what different programs pay.
Nursing is the clear winner here. A bachelor's in nursing pays around $65k ten years out, and South Florida's hospital and healthcare market gives you real demand for that credential. Health sciences follows at a respectable distance. If you're coming to Nova for either, the math works.
The business and education programs are where the numbers turn against you. Business administration pays about $41k and marketing about $38k, and you're carrying similar debt to nursing graduates for it. Teacher education lands near the same low tier. Paying private-nonprofit prices for a marketing degree that returns $38k is a hard trade to defend when the nursing program down the hall returns $27k more per year.
The specific risk here is program mismatch. The 64% graduation rate and 76% retention mean a real share of you leave, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome. Choose a low-paying major and you get the private price tag without the payoff.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30k, you'll still pay about $28k, and higher earners pay around $36k. There's little price break at the bottom, so lower-income families should compare this against Florida's public options closely. Nova is a good financial fit if you're set on nursing or health sciences. If you want business, marketing, or teaching, look elsewhere for a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nova Southeastern University worth the cost?
Nova Southeastern University's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Health programs like dentistry and pharmacy show strong earnings potential, but the general 10-year earnings of $59,209 are modest for a $31,303 annual cost.
What programs at Nova Southeastern University have the best job prospects?
Dentistry leads with median earnings of $176,775, followed by allied health at $166,905 and information science at $122,038. Nursing and pharmacy programs also show solid returns above $110,000.
How much debt do Nova Southeastern University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $24,250, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with a 64% graduation rate, about one-third of students leave without completing their degree.
Does Nova Southeastern University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $31,303 suggests limited financial aid impact for most students. Given the moderate earnings outcomes outside health programs, careful cost analysis is important before enrolling.