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Practical Nursing at Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, MA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 5,413 students in Worcester, MA.

Program Analysis

Quinsigamond Community College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $54,629/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 95.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,353 in median debt clears fast against $54,629 in annual earnings.

Quinsigamond Community College ranks #90 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $54,629/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$572K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
95.7x
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)
$5,974
Out-of-state: $10,918
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,353
3.2 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

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

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 Quinsigamond Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,992) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($69,051) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($66,252) Business/Commerce, General ($42,618) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($42,028) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,039) Human Services, General ($36,101) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($33,524)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Quinsigamond Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 81/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Quinsigamond Community College?
At $14,353 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Quinsigamond Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Quinsigamond Community College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Quinsigamond Community College's #90 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →