Practical Nursing at Weatherford College

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

a compact campus enrolling 3,961 students in Weatherford, TX.

Program Analysis

At $45,556/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Weatherford College land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 142.7x 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.

AI risk is moderate — 18% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #102 out of 703 programs, Weatherford College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $45,556 to $61,798 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable 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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $45,556/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$657K
7.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
144.2x
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)
$4,560
Out-of-state: $9,630
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,798
36% 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Weatherford 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 81/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Weatherford College?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Weatherford College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Weatherford College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Weatherford College?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $45,556/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Weatherford College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
The #102 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Weatherford College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Weatherford College find jobs?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Weatherford College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →