Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County

Similar Ohio nursing programs suggest first-year earnings around $43,200 against estimated debt of $14,800—a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio that looks manageable on paper. For comparison, the state median debt for this credential sits slightly higher at $16,400, meaning this program appears to fall on the more affordable end. But here's the catch: several Ohio schools with actual reported data show their practical nursing graduates earning $48,700 to $54,000 in year one, significantly above what peer programs in this category typically produce.

That gap matters when you're looking at return on investment. If this program's actual outcomes track closer to the higher-performing schools, the debt load becomes even more reasonable. But if outcomes land at the lower end of the state range, you're looking at roughly $3,600 in monthly pre-tax income—tight when managing loan payments alongside Ohio's cost of living. The 16% Pell rate suggests this isn't primarily serving low-income students, which may indicate selective admissions or pricing that screens for better-prepared candidates.

The sensible move: contact the school directly for their actual graduate outcomes and job placement rates. Practical nursing certificates are vocational credentials where employment outcomes matter far more than prestige. If they can document placement rates above 85% and starting wages in the upper $40,000s, the estimated debt becomes a worthwhile investment. Without that confirmation, you're making a $15,000 bet on incomplete information.