Practical Nursing at Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 3,917 students in Springfield, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,851 place Lincoln Land Community College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 88.2x 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.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 4%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $29,851 far exceeding the $6,951 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #310 out of 703 programs, Lincoln Land Community College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $29,851 to $32,119 over five years (8% 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.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $29,851/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$325K
1.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.4x
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)
$3,672
Out-of-state: $10,248
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,951
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,119
8% 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lincoln Land Community 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 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Lincoln Land Community College?
At 69/100, Lincoln Land Community College's Practical Nursing program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
For Lincoln Land Community College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Lincoln Land Community College?
At $6,951 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Lincoln Land Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Lincoln Land Community College?
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?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →