Practical Nursing at Dalton State College

Graduates earn $41,595/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 135.3x 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 2% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $41,595 far exceeding the $9,007 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #128 of 703 nationally, this is a top-5% Practical Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $44,135 are relatively flat compared to the $41,595 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.