Practical Nursing at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

Pleasant Gap, PA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

A 95% acceptance rate means Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 126 in Pleasant Gap, PA.

Program Analysis

At $41,624/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

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 $16,139 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #527 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $41,624/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$42K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,139
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,835
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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

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 65/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →