Practical Nursing at Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County

Scranton, PA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

With 100% of applicants admitted, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 76 in Scranton, PA.

Program Analysis

At $47,934 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County earn slightly above the $44,151 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

The median debt load of $14,795 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #438 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $49,846 are relatively flat compared to the $47,934 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $47,934/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$501K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$14,795
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,846
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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County's Practical Nursing program score?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County find jobs?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County graduates specifically, local market conditions in PA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →