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Practical Nursing at Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 2,911 students in Hutchinson, KS.

Program Analysis

Hutchinson Community College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $45,344/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

The 148.9x 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.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 7%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,750 in median debt clears fast against $45,344 in annual earnings.

A #66 ranking out of 703 Practical Nursing programs nationally puts Hutchinson Community College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,344 to $50,287 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $45,344/yr (3% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings

$511K

2.6% annual growth

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

149.4x

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)

$3,420

Out-of-state: $4,650

Median Debt at Graduation

$8,750

2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,287

11% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hutchinson Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Hutchinson Community College?

A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Hutchinson 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. Hutchinson Community College's score of 82/100 reflects this durability.

What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Hutchinson Community College?

At $8,750 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Hutchinson Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.

Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Hutchinson Community College?

Beyond Hutchinson Community College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.

Will Practical Nursing graduates from Hutchinson Community College find jobs?

The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →