Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Ozarka College

The striking feature here isn't the initial $36,085 starting salary—it's what happens next. Graduates see their earnings plummet 30% by year four to just $25,065, a pattern that demands explanation. This could signal high burnout rates, career changes out of nursing, or challenges maintaining full-time employment. While the starting salary sits slightly below Arkansas's median for practical nursing programs ($38,276), the dramatic decline puts this program near the bottom fifth nationally for long-term earnings.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $11,218, graduates borrow slightly less than the state median and significantly less than the national average. That low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means the initial financial burden is manageable—if graduates can maintain their year-one income levels. The problem is most won't. Compare this to top Arkansas programs like Baptist Health College Little Rock, where graduates earn $48,332, or even nearby Arkansas State University-Newport at $39,979.

For families considering this program, the key question is sustainability. Can your child maintain stable nursing employment long-term, or will they face the same income decline most graduates experience? With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here can't afford to gamble on uncertain career trajectories. Unless there's a compelling local factor—like guaranteed employment through a specific healthcare network—the safer bet is one of Arkansas's stronger-performing practical nursing programs that show more stable earnings patterns.