Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Bryant & Stratton College-Parma

Bryant & Stratton College-Parma's nursing program carries Ohio's highest debt burden for this degree—only 5% of nursing programs nationally require students to borrow more. With $40,664 in median debt versus a state median of $27,000, graduates here shoulder roughly $14,000 more than typical Ohio nursing students. That creates a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about seven months' salary—manageable but not ideal.

The earnings picture offers some reassurance. At $71,701, first-year salaries land around Ohio's median and at the 60th percentile among state nursing programs, even while trailing the national median by about $3,000. This means graduates can command competitive Ohio wages despite entering a profession where geographic variations matter less than many fields. The school serves predominantly Pell-eligible students (68%), suggesting it provides access to nursing careers for students who might face barriers elsewhere.

The fundamental question is whether these earnings justify the additional debt. Graduates from Chamberlain or Kettering earn $11,000-$12,000 more annually with similar or lower borrowing, creating a significantly better financial starting point. For families with limited resources—precisely those this school serves—that gap means years of tighter budgets. Bryant & Stratton delivers entry into a stable profession, but the debt premium demands careful consideration of alternative Ohio programs that offer better value.