Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Columbiana County Career and Technical Center

Columbiana County Career and Technical Center's practical nursing program sits in the middle of Ohio's offerings—literally at the 40th percentile for earnings—but distinguishes itself with relatively low debt. First-year graduates earn $38,702, climbing to $48,200 by year four. That's about $5,000 below Ohio's median for similar programs, though notably less debt than the state median ($13,384 versus $16,364). The 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their starting salary, making this manageable for entry-level nursing work.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: that 25% jump from year one to year four suggests graduates build skills and credentials that increase their value. By year four, they're approaching what top Ohio programs achieve right out of the gate. For families in Columbiana County—where two-thirds of students receive Pell grants—this represents an accessible path into healthcare. You're not getting Cincinnati State's immediate $53,908 starting salary, but you're also not drowning in debt while building toward comparable mid-career earnings.

This program makes sense if staying local and minimizing debt are priorities. The lower starting salary reflects the regional job market more than program quality, and the strong earnings growth shows graduates aren't stuck at entry level. For families who need an affordable healthcare credential in eastern Ohio, this delivers solid value.