Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Tri-County Adult Career Center

Ohio's practical nursing programs cluster tightly around $43,000 in first-year earnings, and estimates place this program right at that state median. The $14,820 in estimated debt sits slightly below Ohio's typical $16,364 for similar programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34—meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary. That's manageable territory for a healthcare credential that leads directly to employment.

The challenge is that comparable programs in the state suggest a wide performance gap. Top-performing LPN programs in Ohio report graduates earning $49,000 to $54,000—$6,000 to $11,000 more annually than peer programs typically produce. Cincinnati State and several Fortis College locations demonstrate what's possible within the same state and regulatory environment, raising the question of whether this program delivers the same clinical training quality and employer connections that drive those higher outcomes.

For a family considering this certificate, the value hinges on what you can't see in the estimates: job placement rates, NCLEX pass rates, and which facilities actively hire from this school. The debt load won't sink anyone, but if your daughter could access one of Ohio's stronger LPN programs—even with slightly higher costs—the earnings difference could pay back quickly. Get specific about this program's pass rates and where graduates actually land jobs.