Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Holmes Community College

Holmes Community College's practical nursing program falls below the national median but outperforms most Mississippi programs—a pattern that matters if you're comparing in-state options. At $40,058 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,100 more than the typical Mississippi LPN program graduate, placing this in the 60th percentile statewide. The program trails the national median by roughly $4,000, but that gap narrows as graduates gain experience, with earnings climbing 9% to $43,477 by year four.

The financial picture is manageable: $16,667 in median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates can expect to earn more than twice their debt in their first year. This beats many LPN programs nationally and provides a realistic path to repayment. For a household where 42% of students receive Pell grants, this accessibility matters.

If your child is committed to staying in Mississippi, this program offers solid value—better earnings than most in-state alternatives at a reasonable cost. If they're willing to relocate or consider programs at Mississippi Delta or Hinds, they could boost first-year earnings by $2,000-$3,000, though potentially with higher debt. For students prioritizing quick entry into healthcare with controllable debt, Holmes delivers a workable outcome.