Practical Nursing at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 2,778 students in Wichita, KS.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,356 track close to the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 82.7x 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 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

At $9,500 in median debt against $38,356 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #206 out of 703 programs, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,356 to $48,113 shows 25% 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $38,356/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$502K
5.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.3x
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)
$6,018
Out-of-state: $6,928
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,113
25% 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 Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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. Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
At $9,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
If Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology'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.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology 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 →