Practical Nursing at Jefferson Community and Technical College

Louisville, KY · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a mid-sized student body of 7,105 in Louisville, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,594 place Jefferson Community and Technical College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 123.2x 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 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $33,594 far exceeding the $7,961 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #207 out of 703 programs, Jefferson Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $33,594 to $64,438 over five years (92% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $33,594/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$590K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
125.3x
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)
$4,706
Out-of-state: $6,242
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,961
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,438
92% 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 Jefferson Community and Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Jefferson Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Jefferson Community and Technical 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?
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's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Jefferson Community and Technical College?
At $7,961 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Jefferson Community and Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Jefferson Community and Technical College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
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?
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 →