Practical Nursing at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

De Queen, AR · Public · Associate Degree · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 835 students in De Queen, AR.

Program Analysis

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas Practical Nursing graduates command $62,501/yr out of the gate, well above the $44,151 national median. That 42% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 83.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

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.

At #84 of 703 nationally, this is a top-5% Practical Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $62,501/yr (42% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$63K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$7,812
Out-of-state: $9,492
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,544
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 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 81/100 — 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?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Is Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas one of the best schools for Practical Nursing?
Ranked #84 of 703 programs nationally, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →