Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Stark State College

Stark State's practical nursing program carries a significant red flag: graduates leave with $30,000 in debt—nearly double the state median and roughly four times the national average for this credential. While first-year earnings of $44,914 slightly exceed both state and national benchmarks, that debt load creates an uncomfortable 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio that will take years to work down on an LPN salary.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these figures might not represent a typical experience. Still, it's worth noting that several Ohio schools—including Cincinnati State ($53,908) and multiple Fortis locations—report significantly higher graduate earnings with more manageable debt loads. Even if Stark State's program provides solid clinical training, starting your nursing career $30,000 in the hole puts you at a disadvantage compared to peers who chose programs with similar outcomes but more reasonable costs.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: you're paying premium prices for median results. If your child is committed to practical nursing in Ohio, explore whether those higher-earning programs also carry lower debt loads. At minimum, understand that this debt level will meaningfully delay other financial goals—whether that's buying a home, saving for retirement, or pursuing further education.