Practical Nursing at Austin Community College District

Austin, TX · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with 25,969 students enrolled in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $50,186 at Austin Community College District come in 14% above the national median of $44,151 for Practical Nursing programs.

The 206.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $50,186 far exceeding the $8,462 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #36 out of 703 programs, Austin Community College District's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $50,186 to $52,298 over five years (4% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
82
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $50,186/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$526K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
206.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,550
Out-of-state: $10,590
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,462
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,298
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Austin Community College District

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Austin Community College District's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Austin Community College District's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Austin Community College District's score of 84/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Austin Community College District?
Median debt of just $8,462 against $50,186/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Austin Community College District's Practical Nursing program stand out?
The #36 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Austin Community College District.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →