Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Francis Tuttle Technology Center

Francis Tuttle's nursing program starts graduates below both state and national medians at $41,106, but the story changes dramatically by year four. The 38% earnings growth—jumping to nearly $57,000—outpaces typical trajectories for this credential and suggests graduates develop valuable clinical experience quickly. Among Oklahoma's 31 nursing assistant programs, this ranks just below the middle at the 40th percentile initially, but that strong upward curve is worth noting.

The $17,468 in debt sits higher than Oklahoma's typical $11,640 for this program, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 remains manageable and should be repayable within a few years given the earnings growth pattern. The real question is whether starting $3,500 below the state median makes sense when schools like Green Country and Great Plains launch graduates at significantly higher salaries. Your child would need to close that gap through experience—and the data suggests they likely will.

For families prioritizing quick workforce entry with strong long-term prospects, this program delivers despite the modest start. But if minimizing debt matters most, several Oklahoma tech centers offer lower borrowing with better initial placement. The trajectory here is promising; just understand you're betting on growth rather than immediate returns.