Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale provides meaningful educational access for first-generation and Pell-eligible students, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing and healthcare programs.
While overall earnings lag national averages, students in high-demand fields like nursing achieve competitive salaries that support career advancement and debt repayment.
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale serves a diverse student population with 58% receiving Pell Grants and 48% being first-generation college students, reflecting its commitment to providing educational access in South Florida. The university operates as a large private nonprofit institution focused on career-oriented programs, particularly in healthcare, business, and technology fields. While the institution faces challenges with overall earnings outcomes—ranking in the bottom 11% nationally for median earnings—it demonstrates notable strength in specific high-demand programs like nursing, where graduates can achieve significantly higher financial returns.
The university's mobility profile places it in the "Under-Resourced Institutions" category, combining high access for underserved students with mixed outcomes depending heavily on program choice. Students in nursing programs see median earnings of $70,456 ten years after graduation, while those in other fields may experience more modest financial returns. The institution's focus on practical, career-ready education serves students who benefit from structured, supportive learning environments, though success varies considerably by major selection and career pathway.
Keiser University's program portfolio shows clear differentiation in career outcomes, with healthcare programs leading in both enrollment and earnings potential. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both the largest high-performing program with 300 graduates and the strongest financial returns at $70,456 median earnings. This program represents the institution's core strength, combining substantial enrollment with competitive salaries that justify the educational investment.
Business Administration and Management, while the largest overall program with 214 graduates, produces more modest earnings of $35,849, reflecting the competitive nature of general business fields. Computer Engineering, though smaller with only 21 graduates, demonstrates solid earning potential at $49,683, suggesting opportunities in technical fields for students who can complete these more specialized programs.
The variation between highest and lowest-earning programs is substantial—nursing graduates earn nearly three times more than those in Exercise Science and Kinesiology, who start around $23,649. This wide range underscores the critical importance of program selection at Keiser University, where career-focused healthcare and technical programs provide clear pathways to middle-class earnings, while other fields may not deliver the same level of financial return relative to the institution's higher costs.
Graduates of Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale see widely varying financial outcomes depending on their field of study. Overall, the university ranks in the bottom 11% nationally for median earnings, with typical graduates earning $39,696 ten years after enrollment. However, this broad figure masks significant variation across programs, with nursing graduates achieving substantially higher earnings while students in other fields may see more modest returns.
The strongest financial outcomes come from the university's nursing programs, which represent the highest aggregate return major with 300 graduates earning a median of $70,456 ten years out. Computer Engineering, though smaller with 21 graduates, also shows solid earnings potential at $49,683. Business Administration and Management, the largest program with 214 graduates, produces more moderate earnings of $35,849, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earn around $23,649 early in their careers.
The university's career-focused approach means that program selection significantly impacts long-term financial outcomes. Students who choose high-demand healthcare fields, particularly nursing, benefit from strong job market demand and competitive salaries in the South Florida region. However, those in other programs should carefully weigh the institution's higher costs against expected career earnings in their chosen field.
Affordability presents significant challenges at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale, with the institution ranking in the bottom 5% nationally for affordability. Net prices remain consistently high across income levels: low-income students pay approximately $33,985 annually, middle-income families face costs around $35,800, and high-income families pay about $35,447. These figures represent substantial financial commitments that exceed what most families pay at comparable institutions.
The high net prices translate into considerable debt burdens for many students. Typical graduates leave with $26,125 in federal student loan debt, while families who use Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $11,220. Despite these debt levels, the institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that while costs are high, most graduates manage to meet their repayment obligations, though this varies significantly by program and career outcomes.
Families considering Keiser University should carefully evaluate whether the career outcomes in their chosen field justify the substantial upfront investment. The affordability challenge is most manageable for students entering high-earning fields like nursing, where strong post-graduation salaries can support debt repayment, but becomes more concerning for those in lower-earning programs where the cost-benefit equation is less favorable.
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
