Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Cleveland Community College

Similar practical nursing programs across North Carolina typically produce graduates earning around $46,500 in their first year—a solid starting salary that puts students above the national median for this credential. Based on peer programs in the state, Cleveland Community College's certificate would likely come with roughly $14,700 in debt, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four months of gross income, which is reasonable for a healthcare credential that gets people working quickly.

However, it's worth noting that several other community colleges in North Carolina report stronger outcomes for their LPN programs. Schools like Isothermal and McDowell Technical show graduates earning over $51,000—nearly $5,000 more annually than the state average Cleveland's estimates are based on. Since the actual figures for Cleveland aren't available due to small class sizes, there's inherent uncertainty about whether this program performs at, above, or below the state median.

For families looking at practical nursing in North Carolina, the field clearly offers viable employment with manageable debt. But given the variation in outcomes across community colleges—and the lack of program-specific data here—it would be smart to compare Cleveland directly with nearby options like Isothermal or Rockingham, where reported earnings suggest stronger graduate outcomes.