Nova Southeastern University
#7 Best Nursing Colleges in Florida- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,209 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $30,371 F
- 77% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 9.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $9.9 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Nursing Colleges in Florida.
Every $1 spent returns $9.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,084,948.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 3.26% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $9.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Nova Southeastern University Matters
Nova Southeastern University is a private research university in Fort Lauderdale, FL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,240
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Nova Southeastern University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1030–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $30,371 a year after grants and scholarships — 77% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,209 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $24,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 8% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Over 7,200 students call Nova Southeastern University home, making it a vibrant hub for those pursuing higher education in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a 73% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse array of students eager to advance their careers in fields like health professions, business, and psychology.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data sheds light on students' outcomes and mobility, emphasizing the importance of economic advancement. While the specific mobility rate isn't available, the school’s graduation rate stands at 64%, suggesting that a significant number of students complete their degrees, which is a critical factor for long-term financial success. Graduates earn an average of $59,209 after ten years, reflecting a solid return on their investment in education.
The cost of attendance at Nova Southeastern is $30,371, with a median debt of $24,250, making it essential for students to consider their financial paths carefully. Those who thrive here are typically motivated individuals drawn to health, business, and education sectors. The 36% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates strong support for those from low-income backgrounds, enhancing accessibility and opportunity for a broad range of students.
Rankings
- #7 Best Nursing Colleges in Florida
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in Florida
- #15 Best MBA Programs in Florida
- #15 Best Online Education Programs in Florida
- #17 Best Online Nursing Programs in Florida
- #18 Best Online Colleges in Florida
- #19 Best Bachelor's Programs in Florida
- #19 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Florida
Can I Get In?
How selective Nova Southeastern University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nova Southeastern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,157. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1157
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1030–1300
- ACT Range
- 19–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 48%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,462
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.78
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 16,789
- Admitted
- 12,726
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nova Southeastern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nova Southeastern University is $38,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,371. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $26,603 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $38,700
- Out-of-State
- $38,700
- Avg Net Price
- $30,371
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $26,603
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $27,048
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $29,953
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,443
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Nova Southeastern University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Nova Southeastern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $59,209, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $58,153
- 8 Years
- $56,527
- 10 Years
- $59,209
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (307)
- 54%
- 100% (307)
- 54%
- 100% (307)
- 54%
- 100% (307)
- 54%
How Nova Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Nova Southeastern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Nova Southeastern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $30,371/year ($121,484 total). Graduates earn $59,209 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,206,432 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,084,948 (9.9× your investment). The median debt is $24,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $121,484
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,206,432
- Net Return
- $1,084,948
- ROI Multiple
- 9.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $30,371
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Nova Southeastern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nova Southeastern University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.26%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $64,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.26%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $86,954
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-57,895,198
Top Programs
The fields Nova Southeastern University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 45% $77,265 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 23% $26,375 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $49,240 early-career
- Psychology 5% $32,672 early-career
- Education 2% $50,183 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2% $115,339 early-career
- Humanities 2%
- Legal Studies 2% $44,638 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Nova Southeastern University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nova Southeastern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,157. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nova Southeastern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nova Southeastern University is $38,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $30,371. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $26,603 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
Is Nova Southeastern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $59,209, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Nova Southeastern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nova Southeastern University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.26%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $64,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Nova Southeastern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Nova Southeastern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Nova Southeastern University.
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · Close peer63% grad $61,767 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · Close peer61% grad $61,504 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · Close peer56% grad $59,637 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ · Close peer70% grad $70,196 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY · Close peer68% grad $69,039 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA · Close peer66% grad $53,032 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Nova Southeastern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Nova Southeastern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note