Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at North Central State College

North Central State College's nursing program delivers a modest financial outcome compared to other Ohio options, landing at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six in ten comparable programs produce higher earnings. The starting salary of $63,650 sits below both the state median ($64,169) and national median ($68,409), and earnings actually drop by 5% over four years rather than growing. This suggests graduates may face limited advancement opportunities or challenging work conditions that push some out of acute care roles.

The silver lining here is the exceptionally low debt load of $13,833—roughly half the state median and well below the national average. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross income. For a nursing career that typically offers solid employment prospects, this manageable debt provides important financial breathing room even if the earnings ceiling appears lower than at top Ohio programs like Hondros or Mercy College.

The tradeoff is clear: you're accepting below-average earnings (about $6,000-$10,000 less annually than top state programs) in exchange for minimal debt. For families prioritizing affordability and wanting to avoid the $27,000 debt typical of Ohio nursing programs, this works. But if maximizing earning potential matters more, stronger options exist within an hour's drive in Ohio's community college system.