Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at College of Southern Maryland

Comparable nursing assistant programs in Maryland suggest first-year earnings around $51,000—right at the state median but above the national benchmark of $44,000. With estimated debt of $19,000, graduates would face monthly loan payments near $215 for a decade, consuming roughly 5% of take-home pay. That's manageable for a credential that typically takes a year or less to complete, though it's worth noting that several Maryland community colleges produce stronger outcomes, with Wor-Wic and Howard grads earning $10,000 more annually.

The real question is whether this tracks LPN or nursing assistant outcomes—the program category combines both, but these are dramatically different career paths. LPNs in Maryland average over $50,000, while CNAs typically earn $30,000-35,000. The estimated earnings align with LPN work, which would make the debt reasonable. If the program primarily leads to CNA certification, however, $19,000 would be excessive for that lower-earning role.

Contact the school directly to clarify exactly which credential this program provides and what percentage of recent graduates found LPN versus CNA positions. The debt-to-earnings math works for an LPN track but falls apart for nursing assistant roles, making this distinction crucial before enrollment.