Practical Nursing at Baton Rouge Community College

Baton Rouge, LA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a mid-sized student body of 8,003 in Baton Rouge, LA.

Program Analysis

Baton Rouge Community College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $40,776/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

The 114.3x 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.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 12%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #157 out of 703 programs, Baton Rouge Community College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $40,776 to $47,321 over five years (16% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
78
Score
78
High End
Earnings $40,776/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$485K
3.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
114.9x
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
$4,221
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,321
16% 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 Baton Rouge Community 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

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Baton Rouge Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Baton Rouge Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
For Baton Rouge Community College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Why does Baton Rouge Community College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Ranked #157 of 703 programs nationally, Baton Rouge Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Baton Rouge Community College?
If Baton Rouge Community 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.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Baton Rouge Community College find jobs?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Baton Rouge Community 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 →