Practical Nursing at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

serving 10,556 students in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

At $56,230 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College significantly outpace the $44,151 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 134.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 18% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

Ranked #29 out of 703 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $56,230 to $68,475 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $56,230/yr (27% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$709K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
135.9x
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 (In-State)
$5,218
Out-of-state: $8,098
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,475
22% 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

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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College

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 84/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
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.
What makes CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
The #29 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →