Practical Nursing at Bluegrass Community and Technical College

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

enrolling 7,713 students in Lexington, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,053 place Bluegrass Community and Technical College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 110.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Practical Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $36,053 far exceeding the $6,879 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #190 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Bluegrass Community and Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 37% earnings increase from $36,053 to $49,428 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $36,053/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$527K
8.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
112.1x
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)
$4,706
Out-of-state: $6,242
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,879
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,428
37% 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Bluegrass Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
For Bluegrass Community and Technical 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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $6,879 against $36,053/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Bluegrass 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.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Bluegrass Community and Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Bluegrass Community and Technical College?
The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →