Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati State's nursing program graduates earn notably more than the typical Ohio nursing graduate—placing in the 60th percentile statewide—but the trajectory deserves your attention. First-year earnings of $68,156 exceed Ohio's median by nearly $4,000, and graduates carry reasonable debt at $26,903 (below the national median). The 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates dedicate less than 5 months of annual salary to their loans, a manageable burden that's better than most nursing programs nationwide.

The complication: earnings drop 10% by year four, falling to $61,022. This likely reflects the realities of associate-degree nursing careers—strong entry-level hospital positions followed by limited advancement without additional credentials. While the decline is notable, that fourth-year salary still exceeds what many college graduates earn, and nurses maintain steady employment even during economic downturns.

For families weighing this investment, the math works. Your child enters a recession-resistant field with immediate earning power and debt that won't dominate their budget. The plateaued earnings suggest they should plan on pursuing a BSN eventually if they want management roles or salary growth, but the associate degree gets them working quickly with marketable skills. This is a practical launch pad, not a financial trap—especially compared to pricier private nursing programs that deliver similar outcomes.