Practical Nursing at Black River Technical College

Pocahontas, AR · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 938 students in Pocahontas, AR.

Program Analysis

At $30,491 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Black River Technical College earn below the $44,151 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 114.8x 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.

The median debt load of $10,605 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #230 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Black River Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $52,827 show a 73% jump from the $30,491 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.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
72
Score
72
High End
Earnings $30,491/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$535K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
116.7x
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)
$4,584
Out-of-state: $7,242
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,605
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,827
73% 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 Black River 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

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Black River Technical 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 Black River Technical College?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Black River Technical College's score of 72/100 reflects this durability.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from Black River Technical College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Black River Technical College?
If Black River Technical 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?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Black River Technical College 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 →