Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

At around $11,200 in estimated debt based on comparable Arkansas programs, this practical nursing certificate starts with manageable borrowing—but the earnings tell a more complicated story. First-year graduates earn $36,179, which places them well below both the state median ($38,276) and substantially behind the national median ($44,134) for this credential. To put that gap in perspective, similar programs at Baptist Health College Little Rock and Northwest Technical Institute produce graduates earning over $47,000 their first year out—nearly $11,000 more annually.

The program does show respectable earnings growth, with income climbing 22% to $44,069 by year four, which catches up to national norms. However, that initial earnings lag matters significantly for new nurses managing student debt. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 isn't alarming, but stronger-performing Arkansas programs offer both lower debt loads and higher starting salaries, compressing the payback timeline considerably.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether starting $11,000 behind peer programs in the same state is acceptable for similar debt levels. The credential itself leads to stable nursing work, and four-year outcomes suggest graduates do catch up. But if your child has access to one of Arkansas's higher-performing practical nursing programs—particularly those clustered around Little Rock—those would represent clearer value propositions from day one.