Practical Nursing at Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

Davenport University has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 3,213 students in Grand Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

At $55,249 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Davenport University significantly outpace the $44,151 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 27.2x 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 9%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $16,562 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #426 out of 703 programs, Davenport University's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $55,249 to $62,517 over five years (13% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $55,249/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$637K
3.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
27.3x
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
$23,324
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,562
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,517
13% 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Davenport University

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 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Davenport University?
At 67/100, 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 safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
For Davenport University graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Davenport University?
At $16,562 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Davenport University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Davenport University?
Beyond Davenport University'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.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Davenport University?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Davenport University graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →