Practical Nursing at Chester Career College

CHESTER, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 147 in CHESTER, VA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,781/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 23% 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 $42,781 far exceeding the $19,917 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #540 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Chester Career College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $42,781 to $55,292 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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
65
Score
66
High End
Earnings $42,781/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$581K
6.6% 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
$19,917
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,292
29% 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

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Chester Career College?
At 65/100, 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.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Chester Career College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Beyond Chester Career 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.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Chester Career College find jobs?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Chester Career College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →