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Practical Nursing at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with 20,532 students enrolled in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

At $44,422/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Palm Beach State College land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 170.0x 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 11%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $6,014 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #63 ranking out of 703 Practical Nursing programs nationally puts Palm Beach State College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $44,422 to $50,948 over five years (15% 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.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
82
Score
82
High End
Earnings $44,422/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$521K
3.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
170.8x
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)
$3,050
Out-of-state: $10,910
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,014
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,948
15% 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

Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at Palm Beach State College

Criminal Justice ($69,415) Nursing ($67,495) Dental Assisting ($63,723) Allied Health Professions ($56,594) Allied Health Professions ($49,359) Fire Protection ($46,698) Legal Support Services ($46,622) HVAC Technology ($42,882)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Palm Beach State College?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Palm Beach State College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
For Palm Beach State 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 Palm Beach State College?
Median debt of just $6,014 against $44,422/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
If Palm Beach State 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.
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. Palm Beach State 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 →