Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Terra State Community College

Terra State's nursing graduates face an unusual pattern: strong starting salaries that fall sharply within four years. At $63,495, first-year earnings sit just below Ohio's median and well below the national benchmark. But by year four, earnings drop 20% to just $50,957—a concerning trajectory in a field where experience typically commands higher pay. This decline could signal graduates moving to part-time work, leaving the profession, or working in lower-paying care settings. Among Ohio's 54 nursing programs, Terra State ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of state programs deliver better outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $24,045, it's below Ohio's median and translates to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income. However, that ratio looks far less comfortable when measured against the fourth-year earnings drop. The gap between Terra State and top Ohio programs is significant—Herzing University-Akron graduates earn nearly $10,000 more in their first year, and presumably maintain stronger trajectories.

For an Ohio family, this program represents a relatively affordable path to an RN license, but the earnings decline demands explanation. Before enrolling, your child should investigate why graduates' salaries fall rather than rise—whether it's typical of local healthcare markets or specific to this program's preparation. Ohio has stronger-performing community college nursing options that cost similarly but deliver better long-term results.