Practical Nursing at Career Center of Southern Illinois

Red Bud, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 48 students in Red Bud, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,941/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 10% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $45,941 far exceeding the $15,170 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #490 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Career Center of Southern Illinois in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $45,941 to $52,092 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
66
Score
67
High End
Earnings $45,941/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$531K
3.2% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$15,170
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,092
13% 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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Career Center of Southern Illinois and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

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 66/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Career Center of Southern Illinois?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Is Practical Nursing from Career Center of Southern Illinois a future-proof career choice?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Career Center of Southern Illinois's score of 66/100 reflects this durability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Career Center of Southern Illinois?
Beyond Career Center of Southern Illinois's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Career Center of Southern Illinois find jobs?
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 →