Practical Nursing at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 13,869 students in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

Pima Community College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $47,205/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 324.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Practical Nursing carry above-average AI exposure (18% of tasks). The 37% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $47,205 in annual earnings.

Pima Community College ranks #20 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $47,205-to-$71,022 earnings arc over five years reflects a 50% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $47,205/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$780K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
329.1x
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)
$2,370
Out-of-state: $7,686
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,022
50% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pima Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 84/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Pima Community College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Pima Community College's score of 84/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Pima Community College?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $47,205/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.
Is Pima Community College one of the best schools for Practical Nursing?
The #20 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Pima Community College?
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.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Pima Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →