Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Stautzenberger College-Maumee

The small sample size here is crucial—with fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. That said, what we're seeing raises questions: graduates carry more than double the typical debt for this credential ($31,527 versus a national median of $14,803), while earning below both state and national averages. At 40th percentile among Ohio's 77 LPN programs, this falls in the bottom half statewide, with top performers like Cincinnati State producing graduates earning $54,000—nearly $15,000 more annually.

The debt burden is particularly striking for a certificate program serving primarily lower-income students (75% receive Pell grants). While the 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, LPN programs typically carry much lighter debt loads that make them accessible pathways into healthcare. The 8% earnings growth to $42,317 by year four suggests stable employment, but starting nearly $5,000 below the state median means graduates are playing catch-up from day one.

For families considering nursing credentials in Ohio, the state offers dozens of stronger options with similar or better outcomes at half the cost. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to choose Stautzenberger, the combination of high debt and below-average earnings—even accounting for the uncertain sample size—suggests exploring alternatives first.