Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Pearl River Community College

This program's estimated debt load of $18,241 sits between Mississippi's median of $16,130 and the national median of $19,404—a middle-ground position that suggests reasonable cost control for a healthcare credential. With first-year earnings estimated around $51,744 based on similar nursing programs nationally, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 falls well within manageable territory for a field with steady employment demand.

The challenge here is that both figures come from broader peer program data rather than Pearl River's actual graduate outcomes. In Mississippi's tight LPN market, where only two schools offer this degree, local employment patterns and hospital relationships could shift these numbers significantly in either direction. The nearly half of students receiving Pell grants suggests this program serves a population for whom even moderate debt requires careful consideration.

For a family evaluating this path, the estimated numbers point to a workable investment if your child plans to work full-time in nursing immediately after graduation. However, reach out to Pearl River directly to understand their specific job placement rates and partnerships with Mississippi healthcare employers—those local connections matter more than national averages when you're trying to launch a nursing career in a rural state market.