Practical Nursing at Black Hawk College

Moline, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,266 in Moline, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,993 track close to the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 97.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Black Hawk College ranks #130 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
79
Score
80
High End
Earnings $45,993/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$46K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
97.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,920
Out-of-state: $8,100
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,771
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Black Hawk College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Black Hawk College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Black Hawk College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 79/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Practical Nursing from Black Hawk College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Black Hawk College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Black Hawk College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Black Hawk College's #130 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Black Hawk College?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Black Hawk College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Black Hawk College?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Black Hawk College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →