Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at James A. Rhodes State College

Based on comparable nursing assistant programs nationwide, this associate's degree appears positioned in the middle of the pack—with estimated first-year earnings around $51,700 and debt near $18,200. That 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable territory for a healthcare credential, suggesting graduates would need to dedicate roughly four months of their first year's salary to debt repayment if they pursued an aggressive payoff strategy.

The challenge here is context. With limited data from Ohio's six programs offering this credential, it's difficult to assess whether Rhodes State delivers better or worse outcomes than nearby alternatives. Nationally, the top quarter of programs push first-year earnings above $61,600—a meaningful $10,000 premium that could reflect regional pay differences, program quality, or the specific nursing roles graduates secure. If you're seriously considering this program, focus on placement rates into LPN versus CNA positions, since licensed practical nurses typically command significantly higher wages than certified nursing assistants despite both falling under this program category.

The bottom line: The estimated numbers suggest this program won't bury your child in debt, but you'll want to verify what credentials graduates actually earn and where they're working. Contact the program directly for their recent placement outcomes—actual data beats estimates every time when you're making a decision this important.