Practical Nursing at Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 4,689 students in Chattanooga, TN.

Program Analysis

At $36,350 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Chattanooga State Community College earn below the $44,151 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 115.6x 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.

The median debt load of $7,704 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #197 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Chattanooga State Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 37% earnings increase from $36,350 to $49,840 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 $36,350/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$532K
8.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
116.9x
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)
$4,550
Out-of-state: $17,750
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,704
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,840
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

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

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chattanooga State Community 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 does a 75/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Chattanooga State Community College?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Chattanooga State Community College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
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.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Chattanooga State Community College?
At $7,704 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Chattanooga State Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Chattanooga State Community College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Chattanooga State Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Chattanooga State Community College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
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 →