Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus

Based on comparable programs across New Jersey, practical nursing graduates typically earn around $54,390 in their first year—roughly $10,000 above the national median for this credential. While we can't verify exact outcomes for Rowan College's Cumberland Campus specifically due to limited graduate data, the broader New Jersey market for LPNs appears notably stronger than most states. The $15,145 in debt here sits comfortably below the state median of $17,644, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.3—meaning graduates would typically owe less than three months of their annual salary.

The challenge is that several New Jersey nursing programs show graduates earning $58,000 to $63,000 in their first year, suggesting location and clinical partnerships matter significantly in this field. We don't know where Rowan-Cumberland's actual outcomes fall within that range. The 39% Pell grant population indicates the program serves many students who need the degree to work quickly, which the relatively low debt supports.

For parents, this program appears financially accessible with debt that peer programs suggest should be manageable on an LPN salary. However, if other practical nursing programs in commuting distance show stronger placement into higher-paying facilities, those might warrant comparison—especially since the debt loads are similar across New Jersey schools.