Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fort Myers Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
fortmyerstech.eduAnalysis
In Florida, practical nursing programs range widely in outcomes, and Fort Myers Technical College appears to land somewhere in the middle based on comparable programs. Similar nursing certificate programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $41,000, with modest student debt estimated at about $10,500. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 is manageable—roughly three months of gross income—which represents one of the better financing pictures in vocational healthcare training.
The four-year earnings data ($44,654) offers the only actual reported figure for this program, and it shows modest but steady income growth. That said, the top-performing nursing programs in Florida produce dramatically different outcomes: graduates from Florida State College at Jacksonville and Meridian College earn $54,000-$57,000 in their first year—roughly $13,000-$16,000 more than peer programs suggest for Fort Myers Tech. That's a meaningful difference when you're deciding where to invest training dollars, even if those elite programs might come with higher costs or more selective admissions.
For families prioritizing quick workforce entry with limited debt exposure, the estimated financials here work in your favor. But if maximizing earning potential matters most, it's worth investigating whether those higher-performing programs are accessible alternatives. The gap between average and top-tier outcomes in Florida's LPN market is too substantial to ignore without at least checking your options.
Where Fort Myers Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Myers Technical College | — | $44,654 | — |
| Herzing University-Orlando | $47,310 | $55,934 | +18% |
| Herzing University-Tampa | $47,310 | $55,934 | +18% |
| HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing | $31,784 | $52,046 | +64% |
| ATA Career Education | $41,553 | $50,873 | +22% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (110 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $40,922* | $44,654 | $10,553* | — | |
| $2,878 | $57,579* | — | $19,000* | 0.33 | |
| — | $54,072* | — | —* | — | |
| $13,420 | $47,310* | $55,934 | $22,586* | 0.48 | |
| $13,420 | $47,310* | $55,934 | $22,586* | 0.48 | |
| — | $47,306* | — | $17,485* | 0.37 | |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fort Myers Technical College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 60 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.