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Practical Nursing at Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a mid-sized student body of 15,246 in Albuquerque, NM.

Program Analysis

At $30,137 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Central New Mexico Community 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 237.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 32% 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.

At #214 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Central New Mexico Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,137 to $43,068 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $30,137/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$465K
9.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
240.6x
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)
$1,934
Out-of-state: $8,366
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,068
43% 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

Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at Central New Mexico Community College

Nursing ($74,923) Allied Health Professions ($57,486) Precision Metalworking ($42,162) Accounting ($40,511) Business Administration ($37,010) Vehicle Repair Technology ($36,594) Criminal Justice ($35,865) Computer Science ($34,156)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Central New Mexico Community College?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Practical Nursing from Central New Mexico Community College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Central New Mexico Community College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from Central New Mexico Community College?
Lower starting pay at Central New Mexico Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Beyond Central New Mexico Community College'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.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Central New Mexico Community 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 →