Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls

Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls graduates start strong at $48,339—well above Ohio's median for practical nursing programs ($43,207) and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. However, the debt load of $26,334 is notably higher than typical for this field, placing it in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with less debt). While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 remains manageable, it's roughly double what you'd see at many Ohio community colleges offering similar programs.

The troubling trend is that earnings actually decline to $45,163 by year four, representing a 7% drop when most careers should show growth. This suggests these roles may not offer clear advancement opportunities, or that many graduates shift to lower-paying positions over time. Compare this to Cincinnati State, where graduates earn $53,908, or even Cuyahoga Community College next door at $48,692—both likely with significantly less debt.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the stronger initial placement justifies paying $10,000 more in debt than the state median. Given that three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, that extra debt matters. If your child can access a community college option with comparable first-year earnings and half the debt, that's probably the smarter path into practical nursing.