Practical Nursing at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,270 in Visalia, CA.

Program Analysis

At $51,744 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia earn slightly above the $44,151 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 10%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $20,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #362 out of 703 programs, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $51,744 to $59,073 over five years (14% 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.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
68
Score
69
High End
Earnings $51,744/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$603K
3.4% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,073
14% 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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Practical Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
If San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia'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.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia find jobs?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →