Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Collins Career Technical Center

Collins Career Technical Center graduates earn about $40,900 in their first year—roughly $3,000 below Ohio's median for this program and $8,000 less than top-performing LPN programs like Cincinnati State. More concerning: earnings drop to $36,400 by year four, an 11% decline that runs counter to most healthcare career trajectories. While the $14,167 debt load is manageable and slightly below both state and national averages, the shrinking paycheck means your earning power actually weakens over time rather than grows.

The 68% Pell Grant rate suggests this program serves primarily lower-income students seeking healthcare careers, but they're getting below-average outcomes. Ranking in just the 40th percentile among Ohio nursing programs means three out of five comparable schools produce better results. The practical reality: your child could start at $41,000 and find themselves making less four years later—potentially due to part-time work, career changes, or local wage stagnation in the Chesapeake area.

If your child is committed to nursing in southern Ohio and needs a nearby, affordable option, Collins could work—the debt won't be crushing. But if they can commute to Cincinnati or Columbus, those programs deliver $10,000+ higher earnings that don't evaporate over time. For a healthcare credential, declining wages should raise questions about job quality and advancement opportunities.