Est. Earnings (1yr)
$66,677
Est. from OH median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,003
Est. from OH median (3 programs)

Analysis

Mercy College's nursing certificate sits in a competitive field where outcomes matter—and Ohio has plenty of comparison points. While this specific program lacks published data due to small cohort sizes, similar nursing certificates across Ohio produce median earnings around $66,700 with typical debt near $26,000. That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, with first-year income covering debt roughly 2.5 times over.

The challenge is that several Ohio nursing programs demonstrate stronger earning potential—programs at Ohio Institute of Allied Health and Ohio Medical Career College show graduates earning $71,000 to $75,000 in their first year. Mercy's 43% admission rate and lower average test scores don't necessarily predict weaker outcomes in a skills-based field like nursing, but the absence of school-specific data means you're relying on what other Ohio programs typically deliver rather than Mercy's particular track record.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if those statewide patterns hold here. But before committing, contact Mercy directly for their graduate outcomes data—they likely track employment rates and starting salaries even if they can't publish federal statistics. Ask specifically how their graduates compare to other Toledo-area programs and what clinical partnerships they maintain. The difference between a $66,000 start and a $74,000 one amounts to real money when you're beginning loan repayment.

Where Mercy College of Ohio Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Mercy College of OhioToledo$18,950$66,677*$26,003*
Ohio Institute of Allied HealthHuber Heights$24,493$74,851*$26,003*0.35
Ohio Medical Career CollegeDayton$71,666*$26,331*0.37
Trinity Health System School of NursingSteubenville$9,101$67,928*$63,899$20,689*0.30
Athena Career AcademyToledo$67,468*$36,820*0.55
Collins Career Technical CenterChesapeake$66,955*$23,629*0.35
National Median$66,398*$23,562*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mercy College of Ohio, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.