Students at Nova Southeastern University achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, particularly in the university's signature health sciences and professional programs.
Graduates benefit from strong career outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally for both overall earnings and economic mobility.
Nova Southeastern University ranks among the stronger private institutions nationwide for overall student outcomes, particularly excelling in long-term earnings and economic mobility. Located in Fort Lauderdale, this medium-sized private nonprofit university serves a diverse student body where 37% receive Pell Grants and 37% are first-generation college students, yet consistently delivers earnings that place graduates in the top quartile nationally.
What distinguishes Nova Southeastern is its focus on health sciences and professional programs that translate directly into stable, well-paying careers. Graduates earn a median of $59,209 ten years after enrollment, with many programs—especially in nursing and allied health—producing outcomes well above national averages. The university's "Mobility Engine" designation reflects its ability to combine meaningful access for students from various economic backgrounds with strong upward mobility outcomes.
As a private research university with deep roots in South Florida, Nova Southeastern offers the personalized attention of a medium-sized institution while maintaining strong connections to the region's growing healthcare and professional services sectors. For families willing to invest in higher net prices, the university delivers consistent returns through career-focused programs and earnings that exceed what similar students achieve at comparable institutions.
Nova Southeastern University's program portfolio centers on health sciences and professional fields that translate directly into career success. Adult Health Nursing dominates both enrollment and economic impact, graduating 396 students annually with median earnings of $65,027—making it the university's flagship program for both scale and outcomes. Health Services and Allied Health programs, while smaller with 21 graduates, produce even higher early earnings around $54,322, reflecting the specialized nature of these fields.
Biology serves as a major feeder program with 196 graduates, though its lower early earnings of $18,896 reflect the pre-professional nature of many biology students who continue to medical school, graduate programs, or other advanced health careers. Psychology, with 75 graduates earning $27,497, represents the university's liberal arts offerings but shows more modest financial returns compared to the health-focused programs.
The university's strength lies in its concentrated focus on healthcare and professional programs that align with South Florida's economic landscape. This specialization creates strong employer relationships, robust clinical training opportunities, and clear career pathways that help explain why Nova Southeastern graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations. The large scale of programs like nursing also provides meaningful alumni networks and industry connections that benefit students throughout their careers.
Nova Southeastern University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $59,209 ten years after enrollment and earnings that exceed expectations by approximately $8,360 compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage places the university in the top quartile nationally for return on investment, reflecting both the strength of its career-focused programs and the value of its professional networks in South Florida's dynamic job market.
The university's strongest returns come from its health sciences programs, which dominate the academic portfolio and career outcomes. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest program by total economic impact and a consistent high earner, with 396 graduates earning a median of $65,027 ten years out. Health Services and Allied Health programs also deliver strong outcomes, with graduates earning around $54,322 early in their careers. Even Biology, one of the most popular majors with 196 graduates, provides solid foundational preparation for advanced health careers, though early earnings of $18,896 reflect the pre-professional nature of many biology graduates who continue to graduate school.
The university's location in Fort Lauderdale provides access to a robust healthcare job market where cost of living runs slightly below major metropolitan areas like Miami, allowing earnings to stretch further than in many comparable urban markets. This geographic advantage, combined with Nova Southeastern's strong alumni networks in healthcare and professional services, helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations.
Nova Southeastern University operates at higher price points typical of private institutions, with net prices that reflect the premium nature of its programs and services. Low-income students pay approximately $28,140 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $30,839, and higher-income families pay about $35,861. These prices place the university in the lower tier nationally for affordability, reflecting both its private status and the comprehensive nature of its health sciences programs.
Despite higher upfront costs, the university's financial aid structure helps make attendance feasible for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The relatively modest gap between net prices across income bands suggests that Nova Southeastern provides meaningful aid to lower-income students while maintaining accessible pricing for middle-class families. The university's focus on career-oriented programs in high-demand fields like healthcare helps justify these costs through strong post-graduation earning potential.
What makes Nova Southeastern's pricing sustainable is the career trajectory it provides. With graduates earning nearly $60,000 ten years out and many entering stable healthcare professions with clear advancement paths, families can approach the higher costs with confidence that the investment will pay dividends over time. The university's strong track record of supporting students through completion—with 64% graduating within six years—also reduces the risk of paying private tuition without achieving a degree.
Nova Southeastern University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
