Practical Nursing at Meridian College

Sarasota, FL · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 144 in Sarasota, FL.

Program Analysis

Meridian College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $54,072/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #324 out of 703 programs, Meridian College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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
66
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $54,072/yr (22% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$54K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,151
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Meridian 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 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Meridian College?
At 69/100, Meridian College's Practical Nursing program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
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.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Meridian College?
If Meridian College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Meridian College find jobs?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Meridian 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 →