Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls

Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls graduates earn about $65,500 in their first year—slightly above Ohio's median for nursing programs but $3,000 below the national benchmark. The more concerning issue is that earnings essentially flatline over the next three years rather than growing. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide (beating more than half of Ohio's nursing programs), it falls short of nearby options like Herzing University-Akron and Hondros College, where graduates earn $7,000-$8,000 more annually.

The debt load of $35,267 is notably higher than both state and national medians, placing this program in the 95th percentile for debt—meaning only 5% of nursing programs nationwide leave graduates with more to repay. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 remains manageable for nursing, where steady employment typically makes repayment feasible. The challenge is that you're paying premium-level debt for middle-tier earnings, and three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are stretching financially to attend.

For families prioritizing an associate nursing degree in northeast Ohio, this gets you to RN licensure, but you'll carry significantly more debt than at comparable programs. If cost is a major concern, exploring nearby community colleges or the higher-earning alternatives listed above could deliver better value without sacrificing career outcomes.