Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical's practical nursing program lands solidly in the middle of Missouri options but trails the national average by about $5,000 annually. With first-year earnings of $39,101 and a manageable debt load of $15,125, graduates enter the workforce with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—meaning the typical student could pay off their debt within six months of focused repayment. The 19% earnings growth by year four suggests steady career progression, though it's worth noting that several Missouri competitors get their graduates to higher starting points immediately.

The real question is whether this middle-of-the-pack performance matters when other in-state options exist. North Central Missouri College and Mineral Area College produce graduates earning $20,000 more within a year, using similar certificate programs with comparable debt levels. That gap doesn't close over time—it represents a significant difference in total lifetime earnings for what's essentially the same credential.

For families prioritizing convenience or location in the Springfield area, this program won't saddle students with unmanageable debt and does lead to reliable healthcare employment. But if geography is flexible, the data suggests shopping around within Missouri could meaningfully improve your child's financial starting position without adding debt or program length.