Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education

Graduates of this practical nursing program earn roughly $9,000 less than the typical Ohio LPN and nearly $10,000 below the national median—placing it in just the 25th percentile statewide. While the $12,649 in debt is manageable and actually below both state and national averages, the earnings deficit is significant. Compare this to Cincinnati State or Cuyahoga Community College, where LPN graduates earn $49,000-$54,000 annually, and the opportunity cost becomes clear. That's potentially $14,000-$19,000 less per year for doing the same job with similar credentials.

The minimal earnings growth—just 2% over four years—suggests graduates may be stuck at entry-level wages longer than peers from stronger programs. In a field where geographic flexibility matters less (LPNs are needed everywhere), attending a program that consistently produces below-average earners is particularly difficult to justify. The relatively low Pell grant rate indicates this isn't primarily serving disadvantaged students who might lack other options.

For families in the Zanesville area, this program offers affordable entry to nursing, but the earnings gap is too substantial to ignore. If commuting to Central Ohio Technical College or another higher-performing program is feasible, that investment could pay back the extra effort many times over. If this is the only realistic option, understand your graduate will likely start $5,000-$10,000 behind peers and may need to be particularly strategic about job selection and advancement.