Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

The unusual earnings pattern here demands attention: graduates start at $64,065 but see their income drop 15% to $54,336 by year four. With a small sample size, this could reflect workforce factors unique to Sandusky's healthcare market, staffing changes at Firelands Regional Medical Center itself, or graduates leaving nursing altogether. Either way, it's a red flag that earnings move in the wrong direction while debt remains constant.

The debt picture offers some reassurance—at $29,535, it sits below both Ohio's median ($25,529) and ranks in just the 7th percentile nationally, meaning 93% of nursing programs carry heavier debt loads. That 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income is manageable. However, within Ohio's competitive nursing landscape, this program ranks only 40th percentile, with several nearby schools showing stronger outcomes. The top Ohio programs start graduates $10,000+ higher, and presumably maintain those advantages over time.

For families considering this program, the low debt is genuine value, but the declining earnings trajectory raises questions that small sample size alone can't excuse. Before committing, understand why that income drop occurs—are graduates working part-time, leaving the area for lower-cost regions, or facing limited advancement at the affiliated hospital? This might work for students specifically targeting Firelands Regional as their employer, but the data suggests looking closely at Ohio's higher-performing nursing programs first.