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

Coahoma Community College's practical nursing program delivers solid value despite below-average national earnings. Graduates earn $41,032 in their first year—that's $3,000 less than the national median but actually $3,000 *more* than the Mississippi median. Among the state's 15 practical nursing programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, putting it in the middle of the pack for local opportunities. The manageable $10,788 debt load translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26, meaning graduates would owe about three months' salary.

Context matters here: Mississippi's healthcare wages run below national averages, but nursing remains one of the most reliable paths to steady income in the Delta region. While top state programs like Mississippi Delta and Hinds push closer to $43,000, Coahoma's combination of decent earnings and below-average debt creates a workable financial picture for the program's heavily Pell-eligible student body.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary more than these numbers suggest. For a student committed to staying in Mississippi, this program offers a reasonable entry point to healthcare work without crushing debt, though families should know that earnings start lower than at some peer community colleges in the state.