Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Arkansas State University Mid-South

Nursing certificates in Arkansas show substantial variation in outcomes, and this program's estimated figures place it squarely in the middle of the state pack. Based on comparable programs statewide, graduates can expect around $38,000 in first-year earnings—roughly $6,000 below the national median for practical nursing programs. Meanwhile, the estimated debt load of $11,200 is notably lighter than the national typical figure of nearly $15,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's quite manageable at 0.29.

The challenge here is that Arkansas nursing programs demonstrably produce different results. The top performers in the state—Baptist Health College Little Rock and Northwest Technical Institute—report actual graduate earnings above $47,000, roughly 25% higher than what similar programs to ASU Mid-South suggest. That's a meaningful gap that translates to thousands of dollars annually, though we can't know whether ASU Mid-South specifically outperforms or underperforms its peer group without actual outcome data.

For families weighing this program, the relatively low estimated debt is encouraging, but the earnings picture suggests this may not maximize return in a field where better outcomes appear achievable within the state. If your child is committed to staying in the West Memphis area for personal reasons, this could work—but if mobility is an option, programs with documented stronger earnings records warrant serious consideration, even if they require modest additional borrowing.