Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

Ohio University-Chillicothe's nursing program graduates earn slightly above Ohio's median for associate nursing degrees—landing at the 60th percentile statewide—but the earnings trajectory should concern parents. While graduates start at $64,452, their median earnings drop to $56,995 by year four, a 12% decline that's unusual in nursing, where income typically grows with experience. The $24,101 debt load is manageable in absolute terms (0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio), though it's slightly above both state and national medians for this credential.

The real question is why earnings decline when most Ohio nursing programs show growth. This pattern might reflect the rural healthcare market around Chillicothe, where career advancement opportunities could be limited compared to Columbus or Cleveland. Meanwhile, top Ohio programs like Herzing University-Akron and Hondros College of Nursing place graduates earning $70,000+ with similar debt loads.

For families committed to staying in the Chillicothe area, this program delivers reasonable value—debt is moderate and starting pay covers living expenses. However, if your child is willing to relocate or commute to a larger Ohio metro for school, several alternatives offer $5,000-10,000 higher earnings without dramatically more debt. The shrinking salary trend here matters more than the starting figure.