Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lakeland Community College

Lakeland's nursing graduates enter the workforce earning less than both the state median ($64,169) and the national median ($68,409), landing in just the 40th percentile among Ohio nursing programs. More troubling: earnings actually dip to $61,206 by year four, suggesting limited growth trajectory compared to peers at Sinclair Community College or Mercy College of Ohio, where nurses start stronger and likely see better progression.

The $23,989 in debt sits below Ohio's median but still takes about 38% of first-year earnings to service—manageable on paper, but less attractive when you're already earning $6,000+ below what nurses make at comparable community colleges across the state. Ohio has 54 nursing programs, and Lakeland falls squarely in the middle of the pack while charging debt levels that assume better outcomes.

For parents, this matters: nursing is supposed to be a reliable career ladder, but this program shows backward momentum. If your child can access Sinclair or another top-performing Ohio community college, the earnings difference compounds quickly—potentially $50,000+ over a decade. Lakeland works if it's your only local option, but the numbers suggest shopping around within Ohio's community college system first.