Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Herzing University-Akron

Herzing University-Akron graduates enter the workforce earning $47,310—already above both Ohio's median ($43,207) and the national median ($44,134) for practical nursing programs. More importantly, that figure climbs to $55,934 by year four, representing 18% growth and positioning graduates well above the 75th percentile nationally. Among Ohio's 77 practical nursing programs, Herzing ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, trailing only a handful of programs but delivering outcomes roughly $4,000 better than the typical in-state alternative.

The debt picture tells an equally favorable story. At $22,586, graduates carry more than the national median but far less than what many private nursing programs demand. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means graduates finish with less than half their first-year salary in loans—a manageable burden for a career field with steady employment. Notably, this program sits in just the 5th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more borrowing for similar or worse outcomes.

For families weighing nursing certificate options in Ohio, this represents a straightforward path to solid middle-class earnings without the crushing debt that derails so many healthcare career launches. The 78% Pell grant rate confirms this program serves working-class students effectively, converting modest debt into reliable income growth.