Practical Nursing at South Plains College

Levelland, TX · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 6,124 students in Levelland, TX.

Program Analysis

South Plains College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $42,000/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 200.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Practical Nursing's career paths, with 18% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,500 in median debt clears fast against $42,000 in annual earnings.

At #99 of 703 nationally, this is a top-5% Practical Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $50,349 are relatively flat compared to the $42,000 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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $42,000/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$519K
4.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
201.2x
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)
$2,581
Out-of-state: $4,837
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,349
20% 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 South Plains College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Plains 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 does a 81/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at South Plains College?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. South Plains College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is Practical Nursing from South Plains College a future-proof career choice?
For South Plains College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from South Plains College?
At $10,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from South Plains College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes South Plains College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
The #99 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at South Plains 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 South Plains College.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from South Plains College?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →