Practical Nursing at Rock Valley College

Rockford, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 4,362 in Rockford, IL.

Program Analysis

Rock Valley College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $27,497/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 38%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 107.6x 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 38% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #311 out of 703 programs, Rock Valley College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $27,497 to $42,236 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.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $27,497/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$467K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
109.3x
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)
$4,274
Out-of-state: $21,344
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,236
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

Practical Nursing Career Guide

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Rock Valley College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rock Valley College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Rock Valley College?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.
Is Practical Nursing from Rock Valley College a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Is Rock Valley College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Rock Valley College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Rock Valley College?
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 a program at Rock Valley College.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Rock Valley College?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Rock Valley College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →