Practical Nursing at NUC University

Bayamon, PR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

one of the larger campuses at 25,881 students in Bayamon, PR.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $10,394/yr fall 76% below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 21.7x 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 39% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At $4,541 in median debt against $10,394 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #701 out of 703 programs, NUC University's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $10,394 to $16,016 over five years (54% 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.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
45
Score
46
High End
Earnings $10,394/yr (-76% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$177K
11.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.0x
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)
$8,054
Out-of-state: $9,884
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,541
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$16,016
54% 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 NUC University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does NUC University's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Practical Nursing. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from NUC University?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
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?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →