Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Cuyahoga Community College District

Cuyahoga Community College's nursing program leaves graduates trailing most Ohio competitors, earning about $2,000 less than the state median and nearly $6,000 below the national benchmark. While the $17,717 debt load looks reasonable—well below both state and national averages—that advantage matters less when you're starting your career in the bottom half of Ohio nursing programs. Nearby community colleges like Sinclair deliver substantially higher earnings ($69,403) with similar debt burdens, and even for-profit options outperform Tri-C by $7,000 or more annually.

The slight earnings decline from year one to year four (from $62,630 to $61,212) hints at limited growth potential, though this could reflect graduates moving to less demanding shifts or reducing hours. What's more concerning is that Ohio nurses typically earn less than the national average to begin with, and this program ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Ohio nursing programs produce better outcomes.

For families prioritizing affordability and local access, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a year or two of aggressive repayment. But if your child has the flexibility to commute slightly further or consider other Cleveland-area options, programs like Mercy College or Hondros deliver $7,000-8,000 more in annual earnings that would quickly offset any additional costs. The value here is real but middling in a competitive nursing market.