Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Orange Technical College

Orange Technical College's nursing program costs remarkably little—just $8,611 in debt—but that low price tag comes with significantly lower returns than many Florida alternatives. While graduates earn $43,002 their first year (60th percentile in Florida, suggesting decent performance within the state), they're trailing the national median by about $1,000. More concerning, nearby programs like Florida State College at Jacksonville and even fellow technical college Pinellas Technical deliver $10,000+ more in first-year earnings. That difference represents real purchasing power in a city like Orlando where housing costs continue climbing.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 looks manageable on paper, and 7% earnings growth to $46,000 by year four shows some upward trajectory. However, the sample size here is very small—fewer than 30 graduates—which means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few data points. For a parent weighing options, the question becomes whether saving $2,000-$3,000 in upfront costs justifies potentially earning $10,000 less annually compared to stronger Florida programs.

If cost minimization is the primary goal and your child is committed to staying in the Orlando area, this program clears the bar for employability. But if maximizing earning potential matters—especially given Florida's lack of state income tax, which makes higher wages even more valuable—it's worth exploring those higher-performing technical colleges and understanding what drives their graduates' better outcomes.