Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at James A. Rhodes State College

Rhodes State's nursing program shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn $62,603 in their first year but see that drop to $58,985 by year four—a 6% decline when most nursing careers build momentum. While the $22,000 debt load is manageable and slightly below Ohio's median for nursing programs, the earnings trajectory raises real questions. Graduates here start nearly $6,000 below the Ohio median and fall further behind over time, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide and 19th nationally.

The comparison to other Ohio programs is stark. Nearby Sinclair Community College graduates earn $69,400—over $10,000 more annually—which compounds to roughly $40,000 in additional earnings over four years. That gap exceeds the total debt most Rhodes State graduates carry. The downward earnings trend could signal limited career advancement opportunities, challenges with full-time placement, or regional job market constraints around Lima that affect long-term prospects.

With debt payments of roughly $220 monthly, this program is financially survivable—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means graduates aren't drowning. But "affordable" doesn't mean optimal. Your child could graduate from several other Ohio nursing programs with similar or lower debt while positioning themselves for $5,000-$10,000 higher annual earnings from day one. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to stay in Lima, explore options at Sinclair, Mercy College, or other programs where Ohio nurses typically launch stronger careers.