Practical Nursing at Kilgore College

Kilgore, TX · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 3,133 in Kilgore, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,903/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 212.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $43,903 far exceeding the $14,174 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Kilgore College ranks #77 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $43,903/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$459K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
212.6x
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)
$2,160
Out-of-state: $5,256
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,174
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Kilgore College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kilgore College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Kilgore College?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Kilgore College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
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 Kilgore College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Kilgore College's #77 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Kilgore 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 Kilgore College.
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. Kilgore College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →