Practical Nursing at Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,448 in Chicago Heights, IL.

Program Analysis

At $30,067 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Prairie State College earn below the $44,151 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 75.3x 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 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $8,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #421 out of 703 programs, Prairie State College's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $30,067/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$315K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
75.3x
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)
$4,176
Out-of-state: $11,064
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,750
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Prairie State College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Prairie State College?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
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. Prairie State College's score of 67/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Prairie State College?
At $8,750 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Prairie State College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Prairie State College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Prairie State College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Beyond Prairie State College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Prairie State College?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Prairie 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 →