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Practical Nursing at Ashland Community and Technical College

Ashland, KY · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 1,566 in Ashland, KY.

Program Analysis

Ashland Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $26,424/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 40%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 98.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 18% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,732 in median debt clears fast against $26,424 in annual earnings.

Ranked #423 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Ashland Community and Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $47,125 show a 78% jump from the $26,424 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $26,424/yr (-40% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$464K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
99.6x
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)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,732
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,125
78% 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 Ashland Community and 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

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at Ashland Community and Technical College

Nursing ($64,909) Physical Science Technology ($61,539) Quality Control & Safety Technology ($58,388) Electromechanical Technology ($51,266) Electromechanical Technology ($50,906) Precision Metalworking ($36,796) Business Administration ($35,770) Business Administration ($35,588)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ashland Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Practical Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Ashland Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $6,732 against $26,424/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.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Ashland Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Ashland Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
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 Ashland Community and Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in KY may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →