Practical Nursing at Texas State Technical College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 9,153 in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

At $45,955/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Texas State Technical College land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 72.7x 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.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 8%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $12,833 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #187 out of 703 programs, Texas State Technical College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,955 to $51,560 over five years (12% 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.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
76
Score
76
High End
Earnings $45,955/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$525K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
73.0x
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)
$7,192
Out-of-state: $11,842
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,833
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,560
12% 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 Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Texas State Technical College?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Practical Nursing from Texas State Technical College a future-proof career choice?
For Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College?
At $12,833 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Texas State Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Texas State Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Texas State Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
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. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →