Practical Nursing at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program

Auburn, NY · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

A 31% acceptance rate puts Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program in competitive admissions territory, a compact campus enrolling 36 students in Auburn, NY.

Program Analysis

At $39,004/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 34.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% 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.

The median debt load of $7,843 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #572 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $39,004 to $45,561 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
64
Score
64
High End
Earnings $39,004/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$467K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
35.1x
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
$13,335
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,843
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,561
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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

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

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program?
At 64/100, 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.
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. Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program?
At $7,843 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program?
If Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program 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 →