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Practical Nursing at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Chicago, IL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

serving 5,847 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $36,493/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 87.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #221 out of 703 programs, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $36,493/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$382K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
87.2x
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)
$4,380
Out-of-state: $14,430

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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

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 City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,086) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($63,963) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($37,908) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($36,908) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($35,140) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($32,380) Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services ($30,292) Biological and Physical Sciences ($30,203)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College?
Starting salary is one data point. If City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →