Practical Nursing at College of Eastern Idaho

Idaho Falls, ID · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,396 students in Idaho Falls, ID.

Program Analysis

College of Eastern Idaho's Practical Nursing graduates start at $34,787/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 161.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Practical Nursing carry above-average AI exposure (18% of tasks). The 34% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears fast against $34,787 in annual earnings.

College of Eastern Idaho ranks #163 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 47% earnings increase from $34,787 to $50,984 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.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
77
Score
77
High End
Earnings $34,787/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$555K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
163.8x
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)
$3,390
Out-of-state: $6,750
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,984
47% 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

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

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of Eastern Idaho

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at College of Eastern Idaho?
A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. College of Eastern Idaho's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Why does College of Eastern Idaho rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Ranked #163 of 703 programs nationally, College of Eastern Idaho lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from College of Eastern Idaho?
Starting salary is one data point. If College of Eastern Idaho's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
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.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
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 →