Practical Nursing at Smith Chason College

Los Angeles, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,221 in Los Angeles, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,488 put Smith Chason College's Practical Nursing program 26% above the national median of $44,151 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 31.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 4% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $55,488 far exceeding the $16,640 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #336 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Smith Chason College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $59,731 are relatively flat compared to the $55,488 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $55,488/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$604K
1.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
31.6x
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
$19,100
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,640
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,731
8% 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 Smith Chason College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Smith Chason College?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.
Is Practical Nursing from Smith Chason College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Smith Chason College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Smith Chason College?
At $16,640 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Smith Chason College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Smith Chason College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Smith Chason College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →