Home › Academy of Careers and Technology › Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing at Academy of Careers and Technology

Beckley, WV · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 147 students in Beckley, WV.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $36,679/yr fall 17% below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At #621 out of 703 programs, Academy of Careers and Technology's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $36,679/yr (-17% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings

$384K

1.0% annual growth

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.

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 Academy of Careers and Technology

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Academy of Careers and Technology's Practical Nursing program score?

A score of 62/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Academy of Careers and Technology trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

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. Academy of Careers and Technology graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.

Is Academy of Careers and Technology a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Academy of Careers and Technology's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?

There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.

Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?

Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Academy of Careers and Technology graduates specifically, local market conditions in WV may shift the picture.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →