Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Central Ohio Technical College

Central Ohio Technical College's nursing program charges below-state-average debt ($23,750 vs. Ohio's $26,952 median) but delivers something unexpected: starting salaries above the state median that then decline by $5,000 within four years. While graduates earn $66,324 initially—placing them in the 60th percentile among Ohio nursing programs—those earnings drop to $61,327 by year four, bucking the typical nursing career trajectory where experience commands higher pay.

The program sits in an interesting position: it beats about 60% of Ohio's nursing schools for early earnings while keeping debt manageable, but falls to the 37th percentile nationally. For context, nearby Sinclair Community College and Mercy College both produce graduates earning $8,000+ more annually with similar debt loads. The backwards earnings trajectory suggests graduates may be moving to lower-paying positions, working reduced hours, or facing limited advancement opportunities—patterns worth understanding before enrolling.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means manageable monthly payments initially, but that calculation deteriorates as income drops. If you're committed to staying in the Newark area or central Ohio where this college has established clinical partnerships, the below-state-average debt provides some cushion against the earnings slide. But if your child has options to attend higher-performing Ohio nursing programs, the $8,000-$10,000 annual earnings difference compounds significantly over a career.