Practical Nursing at Bucks County Community College

Newtown, PA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

serving 5,199 students in Newtown, PA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $54,103/yr, edging above the $44,151 national average for Practical Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 112.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $14,950 in median debt against $54,103 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #73 of 703 programs, Bucks County Community College's Practical Nursing program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $55,754 are relatively flat compared to the $54,103 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $54,103/yr (23% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$566K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
112.7x
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)
$5,021
Out-of-state: $13,421
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,950
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,754
3% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bucks County Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 82/100 — 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 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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Bucks County Community College?
At $14,950 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Bucks County Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Bucks County Community College?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Bucks County Community College.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →