Practical Nursing at Carrington College-San Jose

San Jose, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 680 in San Jose, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,778 put Carrington College-San Jose's Practical Nursing program 38% above the national median of $44,151 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 13% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $60,778 far exceeding the $17,375 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #298 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Carrington College-San Jose scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $71,283 are relatively flat compared to the $60,778 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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $60,778/yr (38% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$732K
4.1% 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
$17,375
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,283
17% 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

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Carrington College-San Jose? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Carrington College-San Jose

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Carrington College-San Jose's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Carrington College-San Jose graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Carrington College-San Jose?
At $17,375 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Carrington College-San Jose carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Carrington College-San Jose?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Carrington College-San Jose'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 Carrington College-San Jose?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →