Practical Nursing at Amarillo College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 7,347 in Amarillo, TX.

Program Analysis

At $42,037/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Amarillo College land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 258.9x 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 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $13,003 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #76 out of 703 programs, Amarillo College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,037 to $53,341 shows 27% 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.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
82
Score
82
High End
Earnings $42,037/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$558K
6.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
261.0x
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)
$2,136
Out-of-state: $4,704
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,003
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,341
27% 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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Amarillo College?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Amarillo 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. Amarillo College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Amarillo College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Amarillo College's #76 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Amarillo College?
If Amarillo College'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?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Amarillo 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 →