Practical Nursing at Community College of Denver

Denver, CO · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a mid-sized student body of 5,156 in Denver, CO.

Program Analysis

Community College of Denver's Practical Nursing graduates start at $23,614/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 47%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 83.2x 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 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $23,614 in annual earnings.

A #579 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Community College of Denver in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $23,614-to-$61,513 earnings arc over five years reflects a 160% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $23,614/yr (-47% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$414K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
84.5x
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)
$4,902
Out-of-state: $17,136
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,513
160% 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 Community College of Denver

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Denver's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 63/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Community College of Denver trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Community College of Denver graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Community College of Denver?
Starting salary is one data point. If Community College of Denver'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?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Community College of Denver's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
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 →