Practical Nursing at Gaston College

Dallas, NC · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 3,359 students in Dallas, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,358/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 198.2x 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 exposure is significant at 18% of job tasks, producing a 31% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #94 out of 703 programs, Gaston College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,358 to $59,459 shows 40% 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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $42,358/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$639K
8.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
200.5x
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)
$3,186
Out-of-state: $9,330
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,459
40% 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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Gaston College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

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Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Gaston College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Gaston College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What makes Gaston College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
The #94 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 of Gaston College?
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 a program at Gaston College.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Gaston College graduates specifically, local market conditions in NC may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →